By: Nanda Priscilia Pradhanty
Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 concerning the Governance of Electronic Systems for Child Protection, also known as PP TUNAS, marks a significant milestone in the effort to reorganize the national digital space to make it safer, healthier, and more conducive to the future of the younger generation. This policy was born amidst the rapid flow of digitalization, which brings not only benefits but also significant risks to child development. In this context, the state is present not merely as a regulator but also as a protector, ensuring that digital transformation does not compromise the quality of the nation’s future generations.
The digital space has become an integral part of children’s lives. Access to information, entertainment, and social interaction is increasingly easy, but it also opens the door to various threats, such as exposure to negative content, cyberbullying, and illegal practices like online gambling. Data showing that tens of thousands of young children are exposed to online gambling is a warning sign that cannot be ignored. This situation is exacerbated by excessive screen time, reaching five to seven hours per day, which impacts children’s physical, mental, and social development.
From this perspective, the TUNAS Regulation (PP TUNAS) is a strategic response from the government to the complexity of digital challenges. This regulation not only regulates access restrictions but also emphasizes the responsibility of digital platforms to create a child-friendly ecosystem. The minimum age restriction policy, the removal of child-targeted advertising, and the monitoring of digital activities are concrete steps demonstrating the government’s commitment to protecting the younger generation.
Views from various stakeholders reinforce the urgency of this policy. Boy Yandra, Expert Staff to the Bangka Regent for Human Development and Culture, assessed that the PP TUNAS is a strategic step in preparing a superior and competitive Indonesian generation. He emphasized that restricting access to digital platforms, including social media and games, is crucial given the negative impacts of excessive use on children’s education and motor development. Furthermore, he sees this policy as a momentum to encourage the creation of a younger generation that is more focused, productive, and concerned about their social environment.
The implementation of this policy will not stop at the national regulatory level, but will be followed up at the regional level. The Bangka Regency Government, for example, plans to issue a circular to all educational institutions as a concrete form of support for PP TUNAS. This step demonstrates that the policy’s success depends not only on the central government but also on synergy with local governments, educational institutions, and the community.
Meanwhile, Jasra Putra, Deputy Chair of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), views the TUNAS Regulation as a “safety belt” for children in the digital space. He highlighted that parents have traditionally struggled alone against the torrent of algorithms and digital content that are not always child-friendly. With this regulation, the government provides real support for families in carrying out their supervisory and protective functions. Jasra also emphasized that threats in the digital space are not limited to negative content, but also include online fraud, device addiction, and increasingly complex digital exploitation.
Support for PP TUNAS also comes from the global sector, particularly technology companies. The commitment of digital platforms like YouTube, owned by Google, to comply with this regulation is a positive signal that protecting children in the digital space is a shared responsibility. Steps such as implementing minimum age limits, plans to deactivate accounts of children under a certain age, and removing child-targeted advertising demonstrate a collective awareness of the need to create a safer digital ecosystem.
The involvement of these global platforms is crucial, given that the majority of children’s digital activities take place on them. Without commitment and compliance from service providers, regulations will be difficult to implement effectively. Therefore, collaboration between governments and technology companies is key to ensuring that policies are not merely normative but actually implemented in practice.
However, the success of PP TUNAS cannot depend solely on regulations and technology. The role of parents and families remains a key factor in shaping children’s digital behavior. Supervision, education, and the formation of values are an irreplaceable foundation. Regulations may be restrictive, but children’s character and awareness are shaped through interactions within their immediate environment.
Furthermore, PP TUNAS should also be viewed as part of a larger effort to build national digital literacy. Children need not only protection but also the ability to understand, filter, and utilize technology wisely. This way, the digital space will not only be safe but also productive and educational.
Amidst the various challenges, PP TUNAS symbolizes the state’s presence in addressing public concerns and reorienting national digital development. This policy is not merely a regulation, but a long-term investment for the nation’s future. A generation growing up in a healthy digital ecosystem will lay a strong foundation for Indonesia in facing future global competition.
*The author is a social observer
