Roblox to roll out youth safeguards in Indonesia as platforms respond to new regulations

Online game platform Roblox is set to introduce new content and communication controls for users under the age of 16 in Indonesia, as global platforms move to comply with tighter regulations governing children’s access to social media.

The move follows a ministerial regulation issued earlier this month, which classifies several major platforms as “high-risk” and requires them to deactivate accounts belonging to users under 16. The policy is due to take effect on 28 March, according to Indonesia’s communication and digital affairs minister, Meutya Hafid.

Among the platforms identified by the ministry are Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox, signalling a broad regulatory push that spans both social and gaming ecosystems.

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“This week, we announced that in order to address regional requirements in Indonesia, we will soon introduce additional controls on content and communication for players under the age of 16 years old in Indonesia,” Roblox chief safety officer Matt Kaufman said, as quoted by The Jakarta Post.

The company did not disclose specific details of the new safeguards, though the move aligns with increasing scrutiny over how interactive platforms manage youth safety, particularly in markets with fast-growing digital adoption. 

Before the regulation, Roblox faced mounting scrutiny in Indonesia over violent content, with officials warning of a potential block unless it complied with local standards. In response, the platform committed to aligning with the Indonesia Game Rating System under the ministry of communication and digital affairs, including reviewing its classifications and supporting child online protection rules – moves welcomed by authorities as a step towards safer digital spaces while supporting the country’s creative ecosystem. The ministry further requested Roblox to set up a local office.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s X confirmed it will enforce a minimum age requirement of 16 for Indonesian users. On its website, the platform stated that the regulation “prevents age-restricted social media platforms, including X, from letting people under 16 create or keep an account. It’s not our choice, it’s what Indonesian law requires.”

Indonesia’s policy reflects a wider global trend, with governments including Australia introducing similar measures amid rising concerns around the safety and mental health impacts of social media on younger users. Earlier this year, it was reported that nearly five million social media accounts linked to Australian teenagers were removed or restricted following the rollout of Australia’s under-16 social media ban.

Roblox has pledged to strengthen safety measures for young users in Malaysia following government scrutiny and a serious incident involving children in Johor. The platform said it will enhance protections through AI monitoring, human oversight, and closer cooperation with authorities, as officials weigh potential restrictions and call for greater accountability.

The shift signals a potential recalibration of youth engagement strategies across regions. With access restrictions tightening, brands may need to rethink how they reach younger audiences – particularly on platforms where under-16 participation has driven engagement and cultural relevance.

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