Minister Hafid Applauds ICEC Forum on Protecting Children from Digital Threats

Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Viada Hafid has expressed appreciation for the International Conference on Early Childhood Education (ICEC) 2026, organised by Universitas Panca Sakti (PSU) Bekasi, which addressed cyber threats to children amidst the influence of the digital era. Speaking via teleconference to mark the eighth anniversary of ICEC on Saturday, she stated that child protection in the digital space is not merely a national issue but a global challenge requiring cooperation from various parties. She noted that digital platforms now transcend national borders, making cross-country, cross-sector, and cross-disciplinary collaboration essential to shield children from risks such as exposure to harmful content, digital exploitation, cyberbullying, and platform addiction. Hafid highlighted the ‘PP Tunas’ principle, which advocates waiting until a child is ready, clarifying that children are not prohibited from engaging with technology but that digital access must be granted according to age, maturity level, and the risks involved. Dr Ajat, Chair of the ICEC 2026 Committee, explained that the conference was designed not just as an academic forum but as a global collaborative space to strengthen the future of early childhood education amidst digital transformation. The hybrid international conference carried the theme ‘Digital Transformation in Early Childhood Education to Realise an Inclusive, Safe, and Good Character Generation’. The education sector is also required to prepare children to be not only adept at using technology but also to possess strong character and good social skills. Participants from various regions in Indonesia and abroad attended, with speakers from multiple countries and 31 research groups disseminating their findings through conference proceedings. Ajat noted that early childhood education teachers from different areas participated with remarkable enthusiasm, demonstrating that early childhood education in Indonesia continues to advance and develop. The one-day forum brought together academics, researchers, education practitioners, policymakers, and early childhood education observers from various countries to exchange ideas and strategies relevant to technological development, rooted in human values, culture, and character building. Through the conference, participants are expected to formulate innovations and recommendations to address the challenges of early childhood education in the digital era, thereby nurturing a generation that is not only technologically literate but also possesses strong character and ethics.