By: Bara Winatha*)
 
The phenomenon of online gambling is increasingly becoming a serious threat amidst the rapid development of digital technology. What was initially considered illegal entertainment has now transformed into a complex social problem, with far-reaching impacts on family resilience, the future of the younger generation, and national social stability. Various groups believe that online gambling is not simply a violation of the law, but a form of organized crime, such as that perpetrated by the Kingdom Group, which systematically targets vulnerable groups, especially children and adolescents.
 
The Chairperson of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Catholic Students Association (PP PMKRI), Susana Florika Kandaimu, stated that online gambling has developed into a structural threat that is destroying the foundations of family life and the younger generation. According to her, easy access, massive promotion, and the narrative of a shortcut to prosperity often lead to online gambling being misinterpreted as an instant solution to economic problems. This mistaken view has trapped many children, young people, including students, in a cycle of addiction and long-term loss.  
Susana explained that the impact of online gambling goes beyond financial loss, extending to social and psychological aspects. Many families experience conflict, mental stress, and even loss of future prospects due to online gambling practices that were initially considered mere entertainment. Student organizations, campuses, and religious communities have a strategic role to play in building critical awareness among the younger generation so they are not easily tempted by the lure of instant wealth. A values-based and community-based approach needs to go hand in hand with government efforts to suppress the circulation and promotion of online gambling in the digital space.
 
Furthermore, a community- and family-based prevention approach is also considered crucial. Prita Ismayani Sriwidyarti, Deputy Secretary for Gender Equality at the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection of the Republic of Indonesia, stated that social and religious institutions have a strategic role in protecting children from the dangers of online gambling. She believes churches and religious communities can be at the forefront of education, prevention, and recovery efforts for affected families. ¬†
Prita believes that online gambling often targets individuals under economic pressure, including children who lack adequate digital and financial literacy. The promise of instant riches offered through online gambling advertisements is highly misleading and has the potential to damage children’s critical thinking. Therefore, it is important for families, schools, and communities to equip children with an understanding of financial management, the dangers of manipulative advertising, and the values of patience and hard work.
 
Child protection is not only related to physical resilience, but also mental and social resilience. Positive habits such as a healthy diet, adequate rest, and good literacy from an early age will build children’s resilience against various forms of digital deception, including online gambling. When children understand that every achievement requires a process, they are less easily tempted by the narrative of shortcuts offered by online gambling.
 
The threat of online gambling to children is also a concern in the education sector. The Head of the Character Strengthening Center at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Rusprita Putri Utami, stated that the Alpha and Beta generations are growing up amidst a tsunami of information coming from digital devices. She believes this situation makes children highly vulnerable to various harmful content that shapes their thinking and behavior patterns from an early age.
Rusprita stated that online gambling has infiltrated various levels of education, from elementary to high school. This exposure does not occur in isolation, but often goes hand in hand with addiction to gadgets, online games, and pornography. In some cases, digital addiction even leads to serious mental health disorders.
This situation is a national alarm that demands a collective response. Character education from an early age must be strengthened as a primary bulwark to prevent children from being swept away by destructive digital currents. Character education, she argued, needs to be combined with digital literacy, which equips children with the skills to sort information, manage emotions, and understand the risks in cyberspace.
These three perspectives demonstrate that protecting children from the dangers of online gambling cannot be done in isolation. Online gambling is a multidimensional issue that touches on legal, social, economic, educational, and cultural aspects. Therefore, child protection literacy is key to addressing this threat. Literacy is not only defined as the ability to read and write, but also the ability to think critically, understand risks, andEradicating online gambling also continues alongside strengthening the role of families and communities. Parents are expected to be more active in supervising their children’s device use, fostering open communication, and serving as role models for healthy technology use. Schools and educational institutions are expected to create a safe environment that supports children’s character development.
Meanwhile, religious communities and community organizations are expected to provide safe spaces for victims and their families to receive moral support and recovery. Protecting children from the dangers of online gambling is not solely the government’s responsibility, but a shared responsibility of all elements of the nation to ensure that future generations grow up healthy, with character, and competitive in the digital age.
*) The author is a social and community observer.