Warning: AI Content and Roblox! Paediatricians Warn of Digital Hallucination Dangers for Toddlers

THREATS to child development from digital content in Indonesia have reached an alarming level. Beyond classical challenges such as cyberbullying, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI)-based content now presents a new threat that is difficult for children to detect and understand.

Paediatrician Bernie Endyarni Medise expressed concern about the “AI stammer” phenomenon that not only affects adults but also endangers child development. According to her, increasingly realistic AI visuals can blur the boundaries of reality for children.

“AI takes data from the virtual world and presents information based on popularity. This is extremely dangerous if not filtered. For children, what they see on digital platforms or games like Roblox and Minecraft is often considered a genuinely real world,” said Bernie during an Editorial Discussion (DIKSI) in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March.

Bernie emphasised that children under five years old should not be given access to digital technology devices. For older children, access must be strictly limited to prevent the development of deviant behaviour due to social media influence.

“If left unfiltered, children’s behaviour will form according to what they see on the internet,” she stressed.

In response to this urgency, the government has formally implemented Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Regulation No. 9 of 2026 concerning the Governance of Electronic System Arrangements in Child Protection (PP Tunas). This regulation will be implemented gradually beginning 28 March 2026.

Commissioner of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), Kawiyan, explained that this regulation requires digital platforms to implement strict age verification systems. One crucial point is the deletion of accounts for children under 16 years old on platforms categorised as high-risk.

Kawiyan added that beyond the risks of pornography and online gambling, children are now also being targeted for recruitment by radical groups through online games as well as digital sexual exploitation.

“Through this PP Tunas regulation, the government requires digital platforms to comply. We also urge the media to monitor platform compliance in conducting age verification, to create a safer digital space for Indonesian children,” concluded Kawiyan.