Key Principles for Child Guidance in the Digital Sphere

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has affirmed that child protection in digital spaces can no longer be addressed through outdated approaches. As Indonesian children gain internet access at increasingly younger ages, rigid, one-directional oversight is deemed no longer appropriate. Instead, open communication-based guidance, parental digital literacy, and risk-based regulatory support form the primary foundation for safeguarding children’s development in the digital age.

During a discussion titled “Stakeholder Synergy in Protecting Children in Digital Spaces” held by the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS) at the Teater Wahyu Sihombing in Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, Mediodecci Lustarini, Secretary of the Directorate General for Digital Space Oversight, emphasised that every half-second, one child worldwide connects to the internet. This trend is not merely an Indonesian phenomenon but a global one.

She explained that children possess developmental characteristics in cognitive and emotional terms distinct from adults. At younger ages, the capacity to discern complex information has not matured sufficiently. Excessive exposure to digital content can trigger dopamine surges, whilst the ability to self-regulate, including determining when to cease device usage, remains underdeveloped. This condition renders children vulnerable to addiction, age-inappropriate content exposure, and emotional developmental disruptions.

The phenomenon commonly termed “anxious generation”, popularised by American social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, was also discussed. Various global studies link intensive device usage to rising anxiety among young people, reinforcing the urgency of child protection policies in digital spaces.

Data demonstrates that the digital sphere has become integral to Indonesian children and adolescents’ lives. Citing the Indonesian Internet Service Provider Association (APJII) 2025 data, Direktur General of Digital Space Oversight Alexander Sabar reported that internet penetration among Generation Z (born 1997–2012) reaches 87.8 per cent, whilst Generation Alpha (born 2010–2024) stands at 79.73 per cent. These figures reveal that learning, interaction, and social identity formation now occur within digital ecosystems.

However, increased access brings accompanying risks, ranging from negative content exposure, cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, to personal data misuse. The 2024 National Survey on Children and Adolescents’ Life Experiences revealed that over 13 per cent of children aged 13–17 have experienced cyberbullying.

In response, the government implements a risk-based approach in managing the digital ecosystem. Through Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 concerning Electronic Systems Administration Governance in Child Protection (PP Tunas), each digital product, service, and feature is assessed based on its potential impact on children. This regulation is designed to allow innovation to progress whilst aligning with child safety principles and best interests, without creating uncertainty that could hinder digital economic growth.