By: Arfan Heriyanto )*
The implementation of Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 concerning the Governance of Electronic Systems for Child Protection (PP TUNAS) marks a progressive step for the government in addressing the increasingly complex challenges of the digital era. This regulation serves not only as a legal instrument but also as a moral and operational compass to ensure a safe, healthy, and educational digital space for Indonesian children. In the context of education, the presence of PP TUNAS paves the way for a real transformation from paper policies to concrete practices in the classroom, where future generations are being formed.
Schools, as educational institutions, have a strategic role in implementing the values embodied in PP TUNAS. Teachers no longer act solely as instructors but also as digital literacy facilitators, capable of guiding students in understanding the boundaries, ethics, and risks of technology use. With a clear framework from the government, schools now have the legitimacy and guidance to integrate child protection into the digital learning ecosystem, both through the curriculum and extracurricular activities.
The Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Arifah Fauzi, stated that her ministry fully supports efforts to protect children in the digital space through policies to restrict social media access tailored to the child’s age and capacity. Monitoring of the policy’s implementation focuses on child protection, including ensuring that children’s rights in the digital space are maintained and fulfilled in accordance with the principle of the child’s best interests.
One important aspect of the PP TUNAS (National Child Protection Regulation) is strengthening the responsibility of electronic system administrators to safeguard children’s security and privacy. In classroom practice, this can be translated into the use of secure learning platforms and the implementation of student data protection policies. Schools are encouraged to be more selective in choosing digital applications or media, ensuring that any technology used is not only pedagogically effective but also psychologically and socially safe for students.
Furthermore, the implementation of PP TUNAS also encourages stronger cross-sector collaboration. Education does not operate in isolation but synergizes with parents, the government, and technology service providers. Parents, for example, play a crucial role in reinforcing the values taught in schools, creating continuity between the learning environment and the home environment. Meanwhile, the government, through relevant ministries, continues to strengthen outreach and support to ensure optimal implementation of this policy, down to the educational level.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, stated that her ministry has highlighted the high level of internet and social media use among children, which has the potential to pose various risks if not balanced with adequate supervision and digital literacy. As a protective measure, the government is encouraging restrictions on social media use for children up to the age of 16. This policy is based on studies by experts, including psychologists and medical personnel. Furthermore, she emphasized the important role of schools, families, and local governments in overseeing the implementation of this policy.
More broadly, PP TUNAS also contributes to building a healthy digital culture among children. Classrooms serve as social laboratories where students are taught not only to be technology users but also responsible digital citizens. They are equipped with critical thinking skills, awareness of their digital footprint, and empathy in online interactions. This is crucial amidst the rise of negative content, cyberbullying, and exposure to digital radicalism, which can impact children’s mental development.
Optimism regarding the implementation of the TUNAS Regulation in classrooms is further strengthened by the surge in teachers’ digital literacy skills. Various government-initiated competency-building programs have produced educators who are not only technically proficient but also wise in adopting technology. This readiness is crucial, as teachers now have a deep understanding of the ethical and child protection aspects, which are central to the regulation’s success in practice.
More than just a legal instrument, the TUNAS Regulation is truly a long-term investment in developing a resilient, intelligent, and character-driven digital generation. When child protection values are successfully internalized into every learning process, the government is truly building a safe and inclusive education ecosystem. This is where policy transformation becomes a real movement, where protection is no longer seen as a limitation, but rather as a form of empowerment for students.
From these secure classrooms, a future generation will emerge who are not only technologically literate but also uphold integrity and responsibility. This will lay a strong foundation for Indonesia’s progress in the digital age. With this collaborative effort, we are optimistic that every point in the TUNAS Regulation will produce outstanding individuals ready to lead the world with noble character and a progressive vision.
)* Public Communications Observer