KPAI Reveals Risks Faced by Children Under 16 Years on Digital Platforms
Jakarta — A commissioner from the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), Kawiyan, has revealed several major risks faced by children under 16 years of age in using digital platforms, particularly social media and online games.
According to Kawiyan, one of the most concerning risks is online sexual violence and exploitation. “These include grooming, sextortion or extortion through threats to distribute photos or videos of child victims, creation and distribution of child sexual abuse material, and invitations to engage in sexually explicit video calls,” Kawiyan stated when contacted on Monday, 9 March 2026.
Additionally, children are vulnerable to cyberbullying, which can take the form of insults or harassment in social media comment sections, spreading rumours or defamation, and exclusion from digital groups.
Other risks include exposure to harmful content in digital spaces, such as pornography, violent acts, extremist content, and online gambling.
Kawiyan also highlighted children’s vulnerability to theft and misuse of personal data. He noted that many children do not understand the importance of personal data protection and thus become easy targets for digital crime. “Children often fail to recognise the importance of personal data protection, making them vulnerable to photo and identity theft, online fraud, and data misuse for various digital crimes,” he said.
KPAI documented a case occurring in mid-2025 in Semarang City, where a 15-year-old junior secondary school student developed an online gaming addiction that caused declining academic performance and mental health problems.
Regarding policies restricting digital platform access for children under 16 years, Kawiyan stated that KPAI has a role in monitoring implementation. As an independent state institution, KPAI can conduct surveillance and monitoring to ensure digital platforms properly implement age verification systems and ensure children under 16 no longer access high-risk digital platforms.
“KPAI can also identify platforms that do not apply child protection standards. The results of such monitoring can later serve as recommendations to the government,” he said.
Additionally, KPAI is promoting digital platform accountability through dialogue or hearings with technology companies to request transparency regarding child protection systems and to monitor platform compliance reporting with applicable regulations.