Jakarta, INTI – The protection of children in the digital era is once again in the spotlight. The Government of Indonesia, through the Ministry of Communication and Digital, has firmly stated that all digital platforms operating in the country are required to provide parental control features as a legal obligation. This policy aims to reduce the risk of children being exposed to harmful content in an increasingly complex online environment.
This mandate is outlined in Government Regulation (PP) Number 17 of 2025 concerning the Governance of Electronic System Operators in Child Protection, also known as PP Tunas. The regulation obligates Electronic System Operators (ESOs) to offer child protection features, such as age classification and parental control tools, that are easy to access and understand.
Parental Control: A Mandatory Feature, Not Just an Add-on
Director General of Public Communications and Media, Fifi Aleyda Yahya, emphasized that parental control features are now a key instrument for safeguarding children’s online activities.
“Features like parental control and age classification are not merely optional extras. They are essential tools for parents to monitor, limit, and ensure their children access only age-appropriate content,” Fifi said in a press statement in Jakarta, Wednesday, 6,August.
These tools not only give parents greater control but also provide peace of mind that their children are exploring the internet safely.
Digital Platforms Must Not Track or Profile Children
In addition to content control, PP Tunas strictly prohibits digital platforms from tracking the location, profiling children’s data, or using it for commercial purposes. Children's digital privacy must be fully protected as part of their fundamental rights in the online world.
This action follows alarming data from UNICEF, which shows that around 89 percent of Indonesian children use the internet for an average of 5.4 hours per day, with nearly half having been exposed to sexual content, either intentionally or unintentionally.
Government Response to Harmful Online Content
Fifi also reported that from late 2024 to mid-2025, the Ministry of Communication and Digital handled more than 1.7 million cases of online gambling content and nearly 500,000 instances of pornographic content. These figures highlight the significant risks facing children in the digital space without proper supervision.
Therefore, the implementation of PP Tunas is seen as a concrete step by the government to establish a safe and child-friendly digital environment.
Education and Collaboration as Supporting Strategies
In addition to regulation, the Ministry is actively conducting digital literacy programs for the general public and professionals. It also collaborates with various digital platforms to strengthen cybersecurity and protect users from digital threats.
Conclusion
Requiring digital platforms to provide parental control features is a tangible effort by the Indonesian government to create a safe digital space for children. Through regulation, education, and collaboration, the government aims to ensure that every child grows up in the digital era with the necessary protection and guidance.
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