Parents in Mataram Support Komdigi's Move to Block Online Games

Mataram (ANTARA) - The majority of parents in Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara Province, support the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs’ (Komdigi) policy to block or restrict access to online games and social media for underage children.

Suherman, one of the parents in Mataram, said on Saturday that this policy is considered crucial to prevent addiction, exposure to negative content, and to protect children’s mental health.

“Personally, I fully support the firm steps taken by the Ministry of Komdigi to block and remove websites or online gaming applications that are deemed to damage the mental health of the younger generation,” he said.

He conveyed this in response to the Ministry of Komdigi’s policy that officially restricts access to online games and social media, including Roblox, for children under 16 starting from 28 March 2026.

Online games, continued this father of three sons, could potentially serve as a gateway to disguised online gambling, because to obtain certain points, children must purchase application quotas by topping up e-money.

This is considered a potential entry point for children to become familiar with gambling practices, as children start getting used to topping up to buy certain items.

“We are worried that this habit of children will develop into online gambling behaviour in the future,” he said.

In addition, the freedom to access online games and social media is feared to impact children’s current behaviour, which tends to lose focus due to being too engrossed in playing certain games and social media.

“Children are still innocent; they often forget study time because they only focus on playing. They forget everything,” he said.

Therefore, he assesses that the government’s policy to remove those games is very appropriate so that children can refresh their minds and focus on their education.

The same sentiment was expressed by a housewife in Mataram, Emilia, who gives full support to the policy.

The closure of access to online games is expected to improve the quality of children’s interactions with parents and their peers.

“So far, once children hold gadgets, they are reluctant to play and communicate with peers or even parents,” said this mother of two children.