Child protection in digital space becomes national movement

The government, under the orchestration of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK), has affirmed child protection in the digital space as part of a national movement to strengthen the safety net for the younger generation from cyber threats. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno stated during a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday that child protection in the digital sector is one of the four main pillars of the National Movement for Safe and Comfortable Spaces for Children (GERNAS RANA). “In line with digitalisation, especially the development of Artificial Intelligence, this safe digital space must also be our very serious concern,” he said following the GERNAS RANA media gathering initiated by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs. Pratikno emphasised that digital transformation and the penetration of artificial intelligence technology carry direct consequences regarding the threat of digital crimes targeting children. Exposure to violence in the digital space is considered to have a systematically destructive impact on children’s physical development, psychological condition, and cognitive abilities. Through GERNAS RANA, he added, the government is reinforcing its commitment to ensuring child safety in four main sectors: the family environment, educational institutions, public spaces, and the digital realm. The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture is collaborating with several technical ministries, including the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, and the Ministry of Population and Family Development, as well as mass media editors-in-chief to optimise the national movement. Pratikno also stressed that the success of securing a safe digital space does not rely solely on government supervision but requires collective involvement from all stakeholders. “Thank you for the presence of our colleagues, the editors-in-chief, who are committed to jointly conducting education and encouraging community control, so that this movement to guarantee safe and comfortable spaces for children becomes stronger, not only through the government’s role and control, but through the community’s role and control supported by our media colleagues. Thank you to our media colleagues for the facilitation by the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs,” he said.