Analyst: Child Protection Law in the Digital Realm Has Positive Impacts
Ternate (ANTARA) - Public policy analyst from Khairun University (Unkhair) in Ternate, Yetty Tarumadoja, M.Si, assesses that the enforcement of the Child Protection Law in the digital realm will bring positive and significant impacts, particularly in the field of education.
“This policy is seen not only as a protective measure but also as an opportunity to strengthen the quality of the younger generation in facing the challenges of the digital era,” said Yetty when contacted on Saturday.
As is known, starting from 28 March 2026, the Indonesian government will officially implement restrictions on access to social media and high-risk digital platforms for children under 16 years old through Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 (PP Tunas) and Minister of Communication and Digital Regulation No. 9 of 2026. This step aims to protect children from negative content, cyberbullying, and exploitation, as well as to gradually deactivate children’s accounts.
From an educational perspective, Yetty explains that this regulation has several positive impacts. One of them is the increased awareness among various parties of the importance of protecting children from various risks in the digital world.
According to her, threats such as negative content, cyberbullying, and child exploitation have often been overlooked, so the presence of this regulation serves as a reminder and a reinforcement of collective commitment.
“Digital literacy is the main key so that children are not only users but also able to filter and understand the information they receive,” said Yetty.
Furthermore, she emphasises that this regulation also encourages an increase in the role of parents and teachers in accompanying children. Parents are expected no longer to be passive but to actively monitor their children’s digital activities, while teachers have the responsibility to provide proper guidance in using technology as a learning tool.
Nevertheless, Yetty also warns of several challenges in implementing this policy. One of the main obstacles is the need for adequate resources, both in terms of budget and human resources. Without sufficient support, the implementation of this regulation has the potential not to run optimally.
On the other hand, she considers it important to involve children in the process of formulating and implementing the policy.
In the context of education, Yetty offers several strategies to support the success of this policy. First, integrating digital literacy into the school curriculum is seen as an important step. Thus, children can be equipped with skills from an early age to face various challenges in the digital world.
Second, enhancing teachers’ capacity is also equally important. Teachers need training and resource support to be able to guide students in using social media and digital technology appropriately.
Third, she emphasises the importance of collaboration between schools, parents, and the community. According to her, child protection cannot be done partially but must be a shared responsibility of all elements.
With these various efforts, it is hoped that the implementation of the Child Protection Law in the digital realm will not only be restrictive but also able to shape a younger generation that is intelligent, safe, and of good character in utilising technology in the future.