Indonesia’s Child-Safe Digital Ecosystem

Indonesia has commenced Kids National Day on July 23. This celebration is dedicated to honouring the rights and well-being of children nationwide, emphasising the importance of creating a supportive and nurturing environment for their growth and development. The theme for this year, “Anak Terlindungi, Indonesia Maju” (“Protected Children, Advanced Indonesia”), underscores the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its younger generation as a crucial step towards a prosperous future.

In the digital age, children are not merely passive consumers of technology; they play an active role in exploring and shaping the digital landscape. Recognising this, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kemenkominfo) has implemented robust measures to identify, manage, and remove such content from various digital platforms.

The Ministry of Communication and Informatics has addressed content related to child safety and violence, and we also focus on enhancing digital literacy for children and parents. Since 2016, Kemenkominfo has tackled nearly ten thousand pieces of harmful content. This includes:

• Harmful Content: 9,293 pieces were removed, mainly from websites (8,909), with some on platforms like Twitter (179), Telegram (132), Meta services (31), file-sharing apps (18), and YouTube (2).
• Child Violence: 37 pieces managed, mostly from Meta services (27), with additional content on file-sharing apps (8), websites (1), and Twitter (1).

These efforts are part of a broader initiative to cleanse the digital environment of content that could harm children’s well-being and development.

Aligned with the National Children’s Day 2024 theme, “Protected Children, Advanced Indonesia,” Kemenkominfo has intensified its digital literacy campaigns. These campaigns are designed to empower children and their parents with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

1. Digital Skills: Providing education on essential digital skills to help children and parents effectively use technology for learning and innovation.
2. Digital Security: Ensuring awareness of best practices for online safety, including recognising and avoiding cyber threats.
3. Digital Ethics: Teaching the importance of maintaining ethical standards in digital interactions, promoting respect and responsibility.
4. Digital Culture: Encouraging a positive and creative digital use culture, where the internet is leveraged for productive activities and personal growth.

Moreover, Kemenkominfo’s digital literacy programmes aim to create a harmonious online ecosystem where children can thrive, learn, and innovate without fearing exposure to harmful content. Beyond content management and literacy promotion, Kemenkominfo is dedicated to strengthening the regulatory framework governing digital spaces.

As OpenGov Asia reported, children’s vulnerability to inappropriate digital content underscores the need for vigilant monitoring by parents and authorities. Under Minister Budi Arie Setiadi, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has introduced a game classification system similar to film ratings to help parents ensure age-appropriate content. This initiative includes using ‘kids mode’ features to block harmful material. Minister Budi highlighted that protecting children is a collective responsibility, involving both families and the broader community, and the government is committed to creating a safe digital environment for healthy child development.By implementing these ratings, Kemenkominfo ensures that digital spaces are safer and more suited to children’s developmental needs. This initiative is part of a broader effort to empower parents and guardians with the tools and knowledge necessary to protect their children in the digital world.

Kemenkominfo’s multi-faceted approach to creating a child-friendly digital space underscores its commitment to the well-being and development of Indonesian children. By effectively handling harmful content, promoting comprehensive digital literacy, and implementing robust regulations, Kemenkominfo aims to protect and nurture the nation’s future digital talents. These initiatives are essential for ensuring the digital space becomes a positive, secure, and empowering environment for all Indonesian children.