The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has emphasized that all children under the age of 17 still have access to register prepaid SIM cards. This policy is part of the implementation of the biometric verification system that has been fully enforced since July 1, 2026.
Director of Digital Ecosystem Control at Komdigi, Dany Suwardany, explained that the registration mechanism for children follows a different procedure compared to adults. Although it uses the child's own National Identification Number (NIK), the biometric verification process must include a facial photo of the head of the family as the responsible party.
This step was taken by the government to strengthen the Know Your Customer (KYC) principle within the national telecommunications ecosystem. By ensuring that every phone number user is accurately verified, the government hopes to curb identity misuse, which often serves as a loophole for cybercrime, such as digital fraud and spam messaging.
Furthermore, Komdigi provides exceptions for children not under the care of biological parents, such as those living in orphanages or social institutions. In such conditions, the biometric verification process can be conducted using a facial photo of an official guardian who is fully responsible for the child.
