The Indonesian Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga) has announced the enhancement of eight essential family functions to support the implementation of the Digital Child Protection Law (PP Tunas), which will come into effect on March 28, 2025. This law aims to strengthen the protection of children amid the significant expansion of digital technology use.
In a statement, Minister of Population and Family Development, Wihaji, emphasized the importance of these functions, which include religion, social culture, love and care, protection, education, economy, and environmental guidance, as fundamental elements in enhancing the family’s role in protecting children from digital risks.
Event Details
Wihaji confirmed that the government is focusing on enhancing the family’s role as a key element in the success of protecting children in the digital space. He pointed out that modern families also include smartphones, necessitating parental interaction with their children away from digital distractions.
He also highlighted the importance of parents allocating time to talk with their children without being distracted by devices, which contributes to improving the quality of family relationships. He stressed the need for parents to accompany their children in using social media safely and responsibly.
Background & Context
These steps come as part of the Indonesian government's efforts to address the challenges posed by digital technology to children. Studies have shown that children and youth are more vulnerable to risks in the digital space, necessitating effective government intervention to protect them.
In recent years, Indonesia has witnessed a significant increase in internet and social media usage, leading to new challenges related to cyberbullying, harmful content, and privacy violations. Therefore, it has become essential for the government to adopt effective policies to protect children.
Impact & Consequences
The government expects the implementation of the Digital Child Protection Law to reduce the risks faced by children and enhance awareness among parents about how to use technology safely. This law also requires all digital platforms to adhere to specific protection standards, thereby increasing corporate responsibility in this area.
In this context, the Minister of Digital Communications, Mutiya Hafid, confirmed that the government will not tolerate any digital platform that does not comply with the new laws. She praised the commitment of some platforms like X and Bigo Live, while others like Facebook and YouTube still need to improve their compliance with the laws.
Regional Significance
Indonesia's experience in enhancing child protection in the digital space serves as a model that Arab countries can benefit from, as many Arab nations face similar challenges regarding the protection of children from digital risks. This requires effective strategies that include raising parental awareness and strengthening the family’s role in this context.
With the increasing use of technology in the Arab world, it is crucial for governments to adopt similar policies to protect children, contributing to building a safe digital community.