Purwokerto (ANTARA) - Public policy expert from Universitas Jenderal\nSoedirman (Unsoed) in Purwokerto, Tobirin, assesses that the policy of\nrestricting social media for children needs to be balanced with the\nprovision of child-friendly facilities to ensure its effective\nimplementation, particularly in regions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis policy is positive, as it relates to the Child Protection Law\nand its derivatives, including Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025,\ncommonly referred to as PP Tunas, to protect children from violence,\nsexual violence, and negative influences such as pornography,\u201d Tobirin\nsaid when contacted in Purwokerto, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, on\nSunday.<\/p>\n
According to him, the policy that has begun to be implemented\ndemonstrates the government\u2019s seriousness in protecting children in the\ndigital space, in line with the global trend towards restricting social\nmedia use for children.<\/p>\n
The high dependence of children on gadgets and the still limited\ndigital literacy in society are factors that need serious attention.<\/p>\n
He stated that the success of public policy is largely determined by\ntwo main aspects: bureaucratic structure and effective\ncommunication.<\/p>\n
From the bureaucratic structure side, he said, local governments need\nto involve various stakeholders, such as the Education Office, schools,\nand families.<\/p>\n
The role of teachers from primary to secondary school levels is\nconsidered important in providing understanding of digital literacy,\nmedia safety (digital safety), and the wise and responsible use of\nsocial media.<\/p>\n
In addition, policy communication must also be carried out massively\ndown to the grassroots level.<\/p>\n
He assessed that socialisation should not stop at the central level\nbut must reach the wider community through media, educational\ninstitutions, and family environments.<\/p>\n
He emphasised the importance of the family\u2019s role as the closest\nenvironment to children.<\/p>\n
According to him, parents have a significant responsibility in\nproviding understanding of the impacts of excessive social media use and\nin supervising children\u2019s digital activities.<\/p>\n
He assessed that local governments need to provide alternative\nactivities for children through the development of child-friendly public\nfacilities.<\/p>\n
The existence of city parks, play spaces, and reading gardens is seen\nas a solution to reduce children\u2019s dependence on gadgets.<\/p>\n
\u201cChild-friendly facilities are important so that children have\nhealthy and enjoyable activity options without always having to rely on\ngadgets,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He encouraged the involvement of social institutions to revive\ntraditional games and develop engaging literacy activities for children\nwith more creative and modern approaches.<\/p>\n
According to him, social media restriction policies are not\nsufficient with just prohibitions but must be accompanied by adequate\necosystem support, from education, provision of facilities, to\ninvolvement of families and communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not just an instruction, but requires synergy among various\nparties so that the goal of protecting children can be achieved\noptimally,\u201d Tobirin said.<\/p>\n
Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 on the Protection of\nGovernance in the Management of Electronic Systems for Child Protection\n(PP Tunas) officially takes effect from Saturday, 28 March 2026, after\nbeing issued by President Prabowo Subianto on 28 March 2025.<\/p>\n
Provisions in the PP Tunas that are officially in effect include\nregulating restrictions on access to digital platforms for children\nunder 16 years old.<\/p>\n
The regulation is expected to protect children from potential threats\nin the digital space, such as cyberbullying, digital scams, exposure to\nnegative content like pornography, and content featuring violence.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the technical implementation rules for PP Tunas are\ncontained in Minister of Communication and Digital Regulation Number 9\nof 2026.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/expert-childrens-social-media-restrictions-require-child-friendly-facilities-1774792276", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }