Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has taken a proactive step towards safeguarding children in the digital world by holding a crucial dialogue with several electronic system organisers. It aims to formulate effective regulations for child protection, ensuring that they are not only legally robust but also easily implementable across diverse digital platforms.
The discussion included key representatives from leading digital platforms, such as Google, YouTube, TikTok, Vidio, and Meta, as well as participants from various sectors like gaming, financial technology, and transportation. Digital and technology industry associations also took part in the dialogue, reflecting the wide-ranging importance of child safety across different facets of the digital economy.
Alexander Sabar, the Ministry’s Director General of Digital Space Supervision, underscored the importance of involving a broad spectrum of stakeholders in the creation of these policies.
“We want to ensure that these regulations can run well and provide optimal protection for children,” he noted in a recent statement. The involvement of various sectors is seen as crucial in crafting comprehensive regulations that are not only practical but can also be enforced effectively.
Aida Rezalina Azhar, the Special Staff for Inter-Institutional Relations, reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a child-safe digital ecosystem. She emphasised that the policy should not only be legally sound but also create an environment where technology is used responsibly to protect children.
“We want this policy to be a guideline that can be implemented by all stakeholders such as the government, technology industry, and society – in realising a safer and more inclusive digital space for children,” Azhar stated.
The dialogue covered several strategic issues aimed at protecting children from potential harm in the digital realm. These included setting a minimum age requirement for creating accounts and accessing digital platforms independently. The discussion also focused on categorising digital services according to their risk levels, establishing robust user age verification systems, and implementing child-friendly features on digital platforms.
A significant part of the conversation also highlighted the role of the financial technology sector in protecting children online. Yasmine Meylia, Executive Director of the Indonesian Joint Funding Fintech Association (AFPI), pointed out that the fintech sector has already implemented age restrictions. “In fintech, the age limit has been regulated through the requirement to own an ID card, which requires a minimum age of 17.
This means that children or individuals under 17 years of age are protected from online loans,” she explained. This regulation ensures that children are protected from the potential risks of online loans, a concern that has become increasingly important as digital financial services continue to grow.
All parties involved in the dialogue expressed their full support for the Ministry’s efforts to enhance child protection in the digital space. There was a clear consensus that safeguarding children should be a top priority and that a collaborative approach was essential to developing regulations that are both effective and sustainable.
To ensure that the policy is inclusive and fully addresses the needs of children in the digital age, the Ministry plans to continue consultations with experts and relevant institutions. The ongoing dialogue will help refine the regulations and incorporate a diverse range of perspectives to ensure that all aspects of child protection are covered.
As OpenGov Asia reported, Indonesia is fast-tracking a comprehensive regulation to protect children from online risks by introducing age restrictions, promoting digital literacy, and fostering collaboration with stakeholders across sectors.
The regulations are expected to form the foundation for a safer, more child-friendly digital space, with the support of various stakeholders, including government agencies, technology companies and civil society. It reflects a strong commitment to creating a safe and enriching digital environment for children.
Article Credit: opengovasia