MP: Homes Should Not Be the First Place Children Are Exposed to Online Gambling

JAKARTA, Kompas.com - Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian Parliament, Dini Rahmania, has reminded that homes should not be the first place children are exposed to online gambling.

According to Dini, adults must set a good example for children amidst the increasing prevalence of online gambling, which is now targeting young people.

“This is something that we must all take note of. Adults must also set a good example. Homes, which should be a place of protection, must not be the first place where children are exposed to online gambling,” said Dini, when contacted by Kompas.com, Friday (15/5/2026).

The Nasdem politician said that many children start to become interested in trying online gambling after seeing adults playing it openly at home.

“Children are often interested because they see adults playing online gambling openly, and sometimes even expressively, shouting when they play. From this, children become curious and think that online gambling is something fun or normal,” she said.

Therefore, Dini believes that strengthening family resilience and digital literacy is the main defense to protect children from the influence of online gambling.

According to her, families have an important role in building supervision, moral education, and healthy communication in the face of the strong influence of the digital world.

“Therefore, education for families is very important. The government must build a massive digital literacy movement that reaches schools and family environments,” said Dini.

Dini emphasized that handling online gambling among children cannot be done partially and cannot only rely on blocking websites.

Dini said that serious collaboration is needed between the government, schools, community leaders, digital platforms, and families.

“Because what we are risking is not only about the use of the internet, but the future of the nation’s generation,” she said.

Dini also highlighted the government’s supervision of digital platforms and app stores, which she believes is still weak.

“So far, there have been efforts to restrict age through inputting dates of birth on Google Play or other platforms. However, in reality, many children use their parents’ phones, so supervision becomes lax,” she concluded.