Religious figure believes PP Tunas requires strengthening digital literacy
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Christian religious figure Pendeta Gomar Gultom views the implementation of Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 on the Protection of Electronic System Governance in Child Protection (PP Tunas) as needing to be accompanied by strengthening digital literacy and the role of the family.
According to him, strengthening digital literacy and the role of the family are primary steps in protecting children from the increasingly widespread negative impacts of social media use.
The former General Chairman of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia for the 2019–2024 period further expressed his concern over the use of social media and digital devices, which he assesses as increasingly uncontrolled, particularly among children and adolescents.
“I am concerned about the excessive use of social media and various digital devices lately, especially for children. Various forms of bullying, violence, and other social problems that bring mental anxiety to everyone, as a result,” he stated.
According to him, resolving such issues cannot rely solely on regulations, including in the form of government regulations. He believes that technical challenges, such as user age verification, remain obstacles that could potentially create gaps in policy implementation.
He also warned that a prohibition approach could give rise to new risks, such as unmonitored digital activities.
Furthermore, he assesses that social media has also had positive aspects so far as a space for children and adolescents to develop creativity and build peer communities. Therefore, he encourages a more comprehensive approach through improving digital literacy and active family involvement in accompanying children during interactions in the digital space.
Previously, the Minister of Communication and Digital (Menkomdigi) Meutya Hafid emphasised that the Indonesian government will not compromise with digital platforms that fail to comply with the mandate to protect children in the digital space in line with PP Tunas.
PP Tunas will take effect from 28 March 2026, and every digital-operating business entity is required to comply with the provisions of the regulation.