TRENGGALEK – Indonesia’s upcoming social media restrictions for children under 16 are prompting schools in Trenggalek to review how digital platforms support classroom learning while protecting students from harmful online content.

Kementerian Komunikasi dan Digital Republik Indonesia plans to issue the regulation on March 28, 2026. The policy will limit access for children under 16 to major social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

Officials say the measure aims to reduce children’s exposure to inappropriate online material. At the same time, educators note that digital platforms now play an important role in daily teaching activities.

SMP Negeri 1 Trenggalek principal Mokhamad Amir Mahmud said the policy mainly seeks to protect students from harmful internet content.

“From a positive side, this policy protects children. Many negative materials online should not be accessible to them,” he said.

He added that schools support efforts to improve online safety for students. However, teachers also rely on internet-based tools because many learning materials now come through digital sources.

According to Amir Mahmud, schools are still studying how to respond to the regulation so classroom activities can continue without disruption.

“On one side, we agree with child protection and digital education. On the other side, learning also needs technology and internet access,” he said.

He explained that modern education can no longer separate itself fully from digital devices. Teachers now use online references, educational videos, and interactive materials in many subjects.

Because of that, schools are trying to adjust to the new regulation while keeping learning effective and supervised.

School administrators hope the government will apply the social media restrictions carefully so students can still benefit from technology without losing protection in digital spaces.

They also expect clear technical guidelines once the policy officially takes effect later this month.