Interior Minister Calls on Regional Governments to Monitor Child Social Media Restrictions
Interior Minister (Mendagri) Muhammad Tito Karnavian has emphasised that regional governments (Pemda) must be involved in efforts to protect children from the negative effects of electronic systems, particularly social media. The Interior Ministry (Kemendagri) will monitor regional government contributions to such protection efforts.
This statement was made by the Interior Minister to the media following a Coordination Meeting on the Implementation of Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Management of Electronic Systems in Child Protection (PP Tunas) at the Office of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Information (Komdigi) in Jakarta today.
He believes that implementing this policy requires the hard work of many parties, given that Indonesia is one of the countries with the largest population and number of internet users.
“Therefore, the involvement of regional governments is a necessity,” Tito said in a written statement on Wednesday (11/3/2026).
As supervisor and overseer of regional governments, Kemendagri will ensure that the programme is incorporated into regional development planning documents. This includes the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD), Regional Strategic Plans (Renstra), Regional Government Work Plans (RKPD), and budgeting within regional budgets (APBD).
“We will oversee regions through Musrenbang (Development Planning Deliberations), with the Directorate General for Regional Development, and when it becomes part of the APBD, it will be monitored by the Directorate General for Regional Finance,” he said.
In addition, Kemendagri plans to issue a circular letter to regional governments as a guide for policy implementation. He emphasised that regions can adapt implementation to their own characteristics and local wisdom, including by issuing regional regulations or decisions related to the programme.
“For example, in Bali, they can use a cultural basis for educating children and preventing them from misusing electronic systems,” he said.
Furthermore, Kemendagri will also encourage capacity building for regional officials to understand child protection issues in the digital space. This effort will be carried out through cooperation with various parties, including relevant technical ministries.
On the other hand, Kemendagri will conduct monitoring and evaluation of programme implementation in regions. Regional governments that demonstrate good performance will be awarded recognition, including the possibility of providing incentive funds.
He also proposed the establishment of an index measuring the level of regional concern for child protection from the negative impacts of electronic systems.
“While we conduct socialisation to the public in various ways in accordance with each region’s local wisdom,” he concluded.
The forum was also attended by Minister of Communication and Digital Information Meutya Viada Hafid, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifatul Choiri Fauzi, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, Minister of Population and Family Development Wihaji, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.