200,000 Children Exposed to Online Gambling: Expert Advises Government

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Chairman of the Cyber Security and Communication Research Institute (CISSRec) and a technology observer, Pratama Persadha, stated that the government must compel social media and digital platforms to implement age verification and block online gambling content to protect children.

This suggestion was made by Pratama in response to the issue of 200,000 children being exposed to online gambling.

“The first step that needs to be taken to protect children from online gambling is the implementation of a child protection system based on platforms. Social media and digital platforms must be compelled to implement stricter age verification, automatic AI-based content filtering, and a mandatory rapid takedown of hidden gambling promotions,” said Pratama when contacted by Kompas.com, Friday (15/5/2026).

This is because, he said, online gambling operators can easily create thousands of other online gambling sites even if the sites are blocked.

“As long as the platform’s algorithm still allows gambling content to circulate for the sake of traffic and advertising profits, children will continue to be easy targets. The government has also affirmed the need for digital platforms to take responsibility in reducing gambling advertisements and content,” he said.

In addition, Pratama encourages increased digital literacy for families.

He said that parents need to be educated that the threat of online gambling is not always in the form of casino sites but in the form of games and other entertainment content.

“So, digital supervision must be changed from simply limiting the duration of gadget use to active accompaniment of children’s digital activities,” he said.

However, he said, its utilization in Indonesia is still very low due to a lack of public education.

“Therefore, in the context of family cyber security, parental control is no longer an optional addition but a basic need,” he said.

He said that without cutting off the flow of funds, gambling sites will continue to exist even if their domains change.

Finally, Pratama encourages national awareness that online gambling targeting children is not just a legal violation but a form of digital exploitation of the younger generation.