Minister Arifah: Online Gambling Exposure Poses a Serious Threat to Children's Development

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Arifah Fauzi, stated that the increasing exposure of children to online gambling is a serious alarm indicating that the digital space still holds various threats to children’s growth and safety.

“Based on data from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, approximately 200,000 Indonesian children have been exposed to online gambling practices. This poses a serious threat to children’s right to live, grow, develop, and receive protection from various forms of exploitation in the digital space,” said Minister Arifah Fauzi in Jakarta on Saturday.

According to her, strengthening child protection in the online realm should be a shared priority.

“Children’s involvement in online gambling practices cannot be seen as merely a behavioral issue but rather as a form of vulnerability to exploitation and digital risks that require comprehensive, systematic, and collaborative handling,” said Arifah Fauzi.

She stated that children are a highly vulnerable group to various forms of digital exploitation.

“In many cases, children do not yet have the adequate capacity to understand the legal, social, or psychological consequences of online gambling activities,” said Arifatul Choiri Fauzi.

Therefore, according to her, protection efforts cannot solely rely on law enforcement but must be strengthened through prevention, education, supervision, and ongoing support.

Previously, Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, revealed that nearly 200,000 children in Indonesia have been exposed to online gambling, including approximately 80,000 children under the age of 10.

“Online gambling is a scam where the system ensures that players almost always lose in the long run,” said Meutya.