JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – In an effort to address the growing concerns surrounding children’s safety in the digital space, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has begun formulating new regulations aimed at protecting children from the potential harms of social media.

The ministry recently held a Forum Group Discussion (FGD) involving schoolchildren to understand the challenges they face while interacting with digital platforms. This initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure the digital environment is safer for younger users.

The FGD, which took place on February 18, 2025, at Komdigi’s Library in Jakarta, saw participation from 15 children from various educational levels, including elementary, middle, and high school. The discussion aimed to provide a platform for children to share their real-life experiences with digital technology, especially social media, and to highlight the issues they encounter regularly in these spaces.

Key challenges raised by the children included the easy access to harmful content, the pressure of social comparisons, and the general lack of guidance from parents when it comes to healthy digital practices. Many children expressed concerns about encountering inappropriate or violent content online, as well as the overwhelming pressure to fit in and meet unrealistic standards set by social media influencers.

Raline Shah, Special Staff to the Minister of Communication and Digital, emphasized the importance of understanding the children’s perspective. “Children are not just users; they are key stakeholders. If we want regulations that truly protect them, we need to listen to their voices,” said Raline during the discussion. This approach underscores the need for regulations that are informed by the experiences and needs of young users, rather than being solely based on adult perspectives.

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