Jakarta, 26 April 2025 — Today’s digital space is not yet fully safe for children, and the urgency to address this issue has become increasingly pressing, especially following the issuance of PP TUNAS (Government Regulation on Governance for a Safe and Healthy Digital Environment for Children), formally known as Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic System Operations for Child Protection.

In response to this policy, PSPK convened the 40th BERANDA Forum under the theme “Creating Safe Digital Spaces for Children”, bringing together stakeholders to engage in dialogue on existing challenges and to explore more inclusive strategies for policy implementation.

Fifi Aleyda Yahya, Director General of Public Communication and Media at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, explained that PP TUNAS reflects the state’s commitment to protecting children without restricting their opportunities for exploration in the digital space.
“PP TUNAS aims to protect 80 million Indonesian children under the age of 18 by encouraging Electronic System Operators to be more accountable in ensuring that children access digital spaces appropriate to their age and developmental stage. In doing so, children can be shielded from various risks while gaining optimal benefits from their digital experiences,” she stated.

One of the key aspects addressed in PP TUNAS is the range of risks children face when accessing digital spaces, with risk analysis self-assessment designated as a responsibility of Electronic System Operators (ESOs). The risks regulated under PP TUNAS include:

• Potential Contact with Strangers: Children may interact with unknown users, posing potential safety threats.
• Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Children may encounter pornography, violence, content that endangers life, or other materials unsuitable for children.
• Exploitation of Children as Consumers: Children may be targeted by advertising or manipulated into making purchases or in-app transactions.
• Threats to Children’s Personal Data Security: Risks of data breaches, misuse, or violations of children’s privacy.
• Risk of Addiction: Platforms may encourage unhealthy excessive use or digital dependency.
• Psychological Health Risks: Mental health issues arising from social pressure, cyberbullying, or algorithms that trigger anxiety and depression.
• Physiological Health Risks: Sleep disorders, eye strain, posture problems, and other health issues caused by excessive digital use.

Dr. Anindito Aditomo, Expert Council Member of PSPK and psychologist at the University of Surabaya, emphasized the urgency of state intervention in creating a safer digital environment.
“The use of smartphone applications, especially social media, can negatively affect the mental health of children and adolescents. The impacts range from brain rot—difficulty concentrating and mental fatigue—to digital bullying that can cause anxiety and even depression in certain cases, as well as addiction. Therefore, regulations are needed to require all digital service providers to remove features that pose risks and to add features that protect children from these harmful effects,” he explained.

As digital platform providers, Electronic System Operators bear significant responsibility in creating safe digital spaces for children. However, Indri D. Saptaningrum, Head of the Constitutional Law Division at the Faculty of Law, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, stressed that children’s digital safety is a shared responsibility.
“Therefore, citizens as technology consumers must encourage ESOs to be more accountable and transparent in implementing concrete measures to ensure safe digital spaces for children. PP TUNAS should serve as a foundation for developing stronger technical standards to prevent the negative impacts of technology on children,” she noted.

PSPK hopes that this BERANDA Forum will serve as a catalyst for discussion among policymakers, education practitioners, and civil society in understanding the strategic steps needed to promote the creation of digital spaces that are safe and truly centered on children’s best interests.

Media Contact:
Rahmania Adinda Oktavianti
Center for Education and Policy Studies (PSPK)
Phone: +62 822-3460-1072
Email: rahmania@pspk.id

About PSPK:

The Center for Education and Policy Studies (PSPK) is an independent, non-profit foundation dedicated to strengthening child-centered learning policies. PSPK is grounded in scientific evidence and actively disseminates good practices from the field within Indonesia’s education ecosystem. The organization is committed to driving positive change in Indonesia’s education system through evidence-based research and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including government institutions, educational organizations, and civil society.

As an organization focused on improving the quality of education, PSPK plays a key role in designing and advocating for policies that ensure equitable access to quality education for all children. In addition, PSPK is actively involved in supporting the digital transformation of education through research and capacity-building initiatives for policymakers, teachers, and other actors within the education ecosystem.

For more information, please visit PSPK’s official website at https://pspk.id/