Don't Underestimate: Bullying and Radicalism Threaten Children's Future

The Social Affairs Office (Dinsos) of South Kalimantan Province has warned of the increasingly diverse threats facing children, ranging from bullying, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, drug abuse, brawls, motorcycle gangs, to exposure to radical ideologies. The regional government is therefore urging all elements of society to strengthen child protection so that children can grow and develop optimally.

This message was delivered by the Head of the South Kalimantan Social Affairs Office, Muhammad Farhanie, while opening the ‘A Day with Children 2026’ event in Banjarbaru on Wednesday (23/7/2026). According to him, child protection is a serious concern for the regional government because these various social threats have the potential to hinder children’s growth and development while affecting the quality of human resources in the future.

‘Children are a national asset as well as the next generation that will determine Indonesia’s future. Therefore, the government has a responsibility to ensure they can grow and develop optimally, safely, healthily, and protected from all forms of violence and exploitation,’ Farhanie said.

He emphasised that child protection is a constitutional mandate as stipulated in the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. The constitution guarantees every child’s right to live, grow and develop, obtain protection from violence, exploitation, discrimination, and the opportunity to participate in accordance with their human dignity.

Farhanie assessed that the quality of children today will determine the quality of regional and national development in the future. For this reason, efforts to protect children must be a shared responsibility.

‘The better the quality of children today, the greater the opportunity to realise a generation capable of contributing to regional and national development,’ he said.

He added that families, schools, and the community have equally important roles in creating a safe environment for children. According to him, every child in South Kalimantan must have equal opportunities to develop their potential, hone their abilities, and realise their aspirations.

‘Protecting children means preparing the future of the region and the nation,’ he said.