Former Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Building. (Wikimedia/Kementerian Komunikasi dan Informatika Republik Indonesia)
On September 8, Indonesia and the US discussed child protection in digital spaces and artificial intelligence (AI) governance as the two countries explore wider cooperation in science and technology.
Indonesian Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid held talks with US Chargé d’Affaires Joy Sakurai, with the meeting covering Indonesia’s policies on digital child protection and AI governance.
Indonesia is applying a risk- and age-based approach to children’s access to digital platforms rather than imposing a blanket restriction. Under the Indonesian government’s framework, children under 16 are restricted from having independent accounts on high-risk platforms, while platforms assessed as lower risk have a minimum age of 13.
Indonesian Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Hafid said the government was also encouraging technology companies to redesign their products to make them safer for children, including by limiting screen time and restricting contact with strangers without parental consent.
The policy forms part of the implementation of Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025, known as PP TUNAS, and its implementing regulation issued in March 2026. The framework is intended to address risks including harmful content, online abuse and digital addiction.
The ministry said Indonesia was developing a risk-based framework under which AI applications would be assessed according to their potential risks. The approach was intended to support technological development while providing greater certainty over safety and implementation.
The US welcomed Indonesia’s approach to digital governance and offered cooperation through its AI Export Center in San Francisco, including expert support and assistance with AI implementation in government agencies. Indonesia’s engagement with US technology partners would continue alongside efforts to protect strategic infrastructure and maintain regulatory control over digital technologies.
The meeting reflects Indonesia’s effort to balance technological development with stronger safeguards and regulatory oversight. Its approach places greater emphasis on managing different levels of digital risk, while US technical cooperation could support the development and implementation of Indonesia’s AI governance framework.
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