IT Expert: Access Restrictions Insufficient, Children Need Safe Platforms
The implementation of digital access restrictions for children under 16 years old is deemed ineffective if not accompanied by the provision of safe, educational, and engaging alternative digital spaces.
Founder of Drone Emprit and IT expert, Ismail Fahmi, emphasised that a prohibition-only approach risks pushing children to seek access to even less controlled platforms.
“It is very necessary to have alternative digital spaces for children under 16 years old, because bans without substitution will not succeed. If we only close the door to social media without providing a proper digital space, children will find other ways, even moving to wilder platforms with no protection at all. That is far more dangerous,” said Ismail when contacted on Sunday (29/3).
He cited China as one country that implements a layered policy, not only restricting but also providing alternatives. One example is the Douyin Youth Mode feature, which automatically directs users under 14 years old to educational content such as science, history, and museums, with limited usage duration and breaks between videos to prevent addiction.
In addition, China has introduced child-specific apps like Xiao Qu Xing (Little Fun Star), which contains educational content and limits interactions that could trigger addiction, as well as integrating national curriculum-based content into digital platforms.
According to Ismail, Indonesia is currently at an early stage, namely access restrictions through policies like Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic Systems in Child Protection (PP TUNAS).
“PP Tunas is like putting up a fence on a cliff. It is important and necessary. But if there is no ‘playground’ behind the fence, children will still find ways to jump over it,” he explained.
He stressed that the next step that the government must prioritise is to provide a “child-friendly digital space” as a form of substitution.
Ismail outlined several types of content that need to be developed, including attractively packaged educational content aligned with the national curriculum, considering that many children learn through platforms like YouTube.
In addition, digital literacy is also seen as very urgent. Based on UNICEF data, only around 37.5 percent of Indonesian children have received internet safety education.
“Content on how to recognise hoaxes, the dangers of sharing personal data, and media ethics is the most urgent,” he stated.
He also encouraged the development of creativity- and skills-based content, such as coding, design, animation, and digital music, so that children’s creative potential can be directed positively.
No less important, content based on local wisdom such as Indonesian culture, history, and traditional arts needs to be packaged in a digital format relevant to the younger generation.
In addition, moderated social interaction spaces are needed, such as learning forums or school-based digital communities, which allow children to socialise without being exposed to risks from algorithms that encourage addiction.
“In essence, the government, platforms, and content industry must collaborate to provide a safe, attractive, and educational ‘digital garden’ for around 70 million Indonesian children. This will determine the long-term success of the restriction policy,” he concluded.
For information, Government Regulation No. 117 of 2025 (PP Tunas) will begin to be implemented from 28 March 2026. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has also issued Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Regulation No. 9/2026 as technical guidelines for the PP.
The regulation is designed to realise a safe digital space and address the negative influences of the digital realm, such as inappropriate content, digital addiction, and exploitation of children’s data.