Komdigi Promotes Cross-Sector Cooperation to Protect Children in Digital Space
The Director General of Digital Space Supervision at the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), Alexander Sabar, has emphasised the importance of cross-sector cooperation in addressing challenges facing children in the digital space. The 2025 child protection assessment reveals multiple threats in the digital environment, ranging from age-inappropriate content exposure, cyberbullying, to the misuse of children’s personal data.
This situation confirms that child protection in the digital space is no longer merely a sectoral issue, but rather a matter of comprehensive digital ecosystem governance. “Child protection in the digital space is not a partial issue, but rather an issue of comprehensive digital ecosystem governance. Therefore, strong collaboration between government, industry, society, and all stakeholders is needed,” Alexander said in Jakarta on Friday, 27 February.
To strengthen protection efforts, the government has promoted Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 concerning the Governance of Electronic System Administration in Child Protection, known as PP TUNAS. This regulation introduces a risk-based approach, whereby digital products, services, and features are assessed based on their potential level of impact on children.
This approach is grounded in the understanding that the digital ecosystem is not homogeneous. Social media, video-sharing platforms, online games, and other digital services each have different interaction characteristics and risk profiles. Therefore, the policies applied must also be proportional and contextual.
Alexander stressed that this regulation is not intended to restrict digital innovation, but rather to ensure that innovation proceeds in line with principles of safety and the best interests of children.
“This policy is not intended to hinder digital economic growth. Rather, we want to ensure that innovation and child protection can proceed hand-in-hand,” he said.
Looking ahead, the greatest challenge will not only be in the formulation of regulation, but in effective, clear implementation that can be carried out by all parties without creating uncertainty for digital industry players.
Komdigi hopes that discussion forums involving various stakeholders can produce constructive input and strengthen cooperation in building an Indonesian digital space that is safe, productive, and child-friendly.
“Our goal is not to choose between protection and innovation, but rather to ensure both grow together,” he said. Additionally, the ministry noted that several platforms are beginning to adapt their technology to be more child-friendly.