Atalia Praratya: Children Must Not Be Allowed to Access AI Without Supervision
JAKARTA, Kompas.com — Atalia Praratya, a member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Golkar Party faction, has expressed support for regulations restricting technology access for minors, stating that children must not be given access to artificial intelligence without adult supervision.
“Digital technology and artificial intelligence are inevitabilities of our time. However, we cannot allow children to access them without limits and without supervision,” said Atalia through her press statement on Sunday (15/3/2026).
Atalia views the two regulatory measures as the government’s approach to ensuring technology is utilised in a healthy and responsible manner by the younger generation.
“These regulations represent an effort to maintain balance between technological advancement and the protection of child development,” Atalia added.
Under the joint ministerial decree (SKB), the government has emphasised restrictions on the use of instant generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude for students at primary and secondary education levels.
According to Atalia, children need to learn the thinking process rather than simply receiving instant answers from machines.
Regarding the restriction on social media access for children under the age of 16, as stipulated in the Digital Natives (TUNAS) Government Regulation, the government will enforce the closure of children’s accounts across various social media platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (Twitter), Bigo Live and Roblox.
The enforcement will be carried out in stages beginning 28 March 2026.
According to Atalia, the prohibition on social media use for young children aims to protect the golden generation from digital threats.
“Early digital exposure can impact children’s mental health, sleep patterns, concentration ability and even social relationships. Therefore, the state must act to ensure the digital space remains safe for them,” said Atalia.
For Atalia, regulation alone is insufficient without the support of families and educational institutions, as parents and teachers continue to play a primary role in guiding children through the digital world.