NTT Governor: Siber Sehat NTT Strengthens Safe Digital Space for Children

Kupang, NTT - The Nusa Tenggara Timur Provincial Government (Pemprov NTT) has introduced the Siber Sehat NTT programme as a complaint and digital literacy service to realise a healthy, safe, and trustworthy digital space, especially for children and adolescents. “The Siber Sehat NTT programme is not intended to prohibit people from using technology, but to build a positive, productive, and safe digital culture,” said NTT Governor Melki Laka Lena in Kupang on Saturday. The programme is implemented through the Communications and Informatics Office, promoting education and digital literacy so that the community uses technology in a healthy, intelligent, and responsible manner. In addition, the programme aims to prevent digital addiction, particularly among children and adolescents, through the roles of families, schools, government, and society. According to Melki, uncontrolled gadget use can cause a person to lose control due to the influence of algorithms. “Do not let algorithms determine our desires, wills, or even take away our freedom of thought,” he stated. “We are also grateful for the central government’s PP Tunas policy to protect children so they can enjoy digital content healthily, as well as local regulations regarding afternoon study hours,” he added. Melki also proposed that digital literacy materials be included in the school curriculum every semester as a guide for healthy technology use. “This material is important to implement because the digital space offers too many opportunities for obtaining anything today, so it needs to be balanced with adequate education,” he said. The Siber Sehat NTT programme involves various parties, including the Education Office, Health Office, NTT Police, NTT National Narcotics Agency, Nusa Cendana University, media, religious institutions, and local communities. “Through the Siber Sehat NTT Task Force, we hope that all parties can work together to promote a healthy digital ecosystem,” he said. He is optimistic that this collaboration will create a generation that is digitally healthy, mentally strong, and ready to face the era of technological transformation.