Jakarta, INTI - The government will begin enforcing the Child User Protection in Electronic Systems regulation, known as PP Tunas, starting tomorrow, Saturday, March 28, 2026.
One of the key provisions drawing attention is the restriction of digital access for children under the age of 16 across eight popular platforms, including YouTube.
Ahead of the regulation’s implementation, YouTube Indonesia expressed its support for the government’s objective of protecting children online. However, the platform cautioned that a blanket ban approach could potentially remove existing layers of protection already built into the system.
According to YouTube Indonesia, effective regulation should take into account the different developmental stages of children and teenagers, while also allowing parents to determine appropriate boundaries. Through Google’s official blog, YouTube Indonesia proposed an alternative to a full account ban by encouraging the use of its parental supervision features.
The company claims this approach has proven effective, noting that 92 percent of Indonesian parents who use YouTube’s supervision tools report a safer and more controlled digital environment. These tools include screen time controls for YouTube Shorts, allowing parents to limit or even eliminate viewing time; upcoming AI-based age verification technology that can automatically adjust protections for teenage users; the Family Link feature, which enables parents to manage device usage schedules and remotely lock screens; and built-in digital wellbeing protections such as break reminders, nighttime notification restrictions, and autoplay limitations for users under 18.
YouTube argues that a full restriction on accounts for users under 16 could result in children losing access to these protective features, while also reducing parental control.
Educational Impact and Alternative Approach
The platform also highlighted concerns about the potential impact on education, emphasizing its role as one of Indonesia’s largest learning platforms since its launch in 2005. It has helped expand access to education, particularly for students in remote areas. Around 90 percent of Indonesian parents reportedly agree that YouTube makes learning more accessible, raising concerns that broad restrictions could widen the education gap.
YouTube Indonesia warned that completely removing accounts for users under 16 could create knowledge disparities and limit equal learning opportunities, especially for students in rural regions compared to those in major cities.
Additionally, YouTube’s educational creator ecosystem continues to contribute to learning development. Since 2020, its Edukreator Academy program has supported teachers and content creators in developing digital learning materials, with 96 percent of participating educators integrating YouTube content into their teaching plans.
The company emphasized that protecting children in the digital space requires a more comprehensive approach that goes beyond access restrictions, including education, collaboration, and strengthening the role of parents.
Moving forward, as part of Google, YouTube encourages the government to involve multiple stakeholders in shaping more contextual, risk-based policies, ensuring that child protection is balanced with access to information and learning opportunities.
Conclusion
The implementation of PP Tunas marks a significant step in strengthening child protection in the digital space. However, balancing safety with access to education and digital tools remains essential, highlighting the need for collaborative, flexible, and technology-driven approaches involving platforms, parents, and policymakers.
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