By: Rivka Mayangsari
Rapid digital transformation has opened vast opportunities to support children’s learning processes in broader and more innovative ways. In response to this development, the government has introduced Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 concerning the Governance of Electronic System Operations for Child Protection (PP TUNAS) as a strategic step to ensure a digital space that is safe, healthy, and oriented toward the best interests of children.
Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, emphasized that the presence of PP TUNAS is an urgency that cannot be delayed. This regulation is designed to safeguard privacy while protecting children’s data from various potential abuses in the digital space. She highlighted several studies and legal cases in different countries showing how children’s data is often exploited and even monetized unethically by irresponsible parties.
This phenomenon serves as an important reminder for Indonesia to continue strengthening a comprehensive and adaptive digital protection system in line with technological advancements. Amid the increasing use of social media in daily life, the government is present with policies that ensure the digital space remains safe and supports children’s optimal growth and development.
Support for this policy also comes from various regional stakeholders. The Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) of Cianjur Regency, for instance, has expressed full commitment to implementing PP TUNAS as part of efforts to strengthen child protection. The Chairperson of DPRD Cianjur, Metty Triantika, views this regulation as a strategic step in responding to the growing complexity of technological developments.
According to her, child protection is not solely the responsibility of the central government but also requires active participation from regional governments and the community. She emphasized that parents remain the frontline in supervising children’s use of digital devices. With PP TUNAS in place, it is expected that parental awareness will increase in guiding children to use technology wisely and responsibly.
Furthermore, synergy between the central and regional governments is key to the successful implementation of this policy. The Ministry of Home Affairs, under the leadership of Tito Karnavian, will involve 552 regional governments in executing PP TUNAS. This step demonstrates that child protection in the digital era is not merely a sectoral program, but an integrated national movement.
The implementation of PP TUNAS will be incorporated into various regional planning documents, such as the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD), Regional Budget (APBD), and Regional Government Work Plan (RKPD). Thus, the policy is not only normative but also supported by clear budgeting and implementation strategies. Regional governments are given flexibility to adapt the policy to local wisdom, including customary approaches relevant to the characteristics of their communities.
As part of oversight, the government will also develop an index for child protection awareness at the regional level. This index will serve as an important instrument to measure the commitment and performance of regional governments in protecting children in the digital space. Regions that demonstrate strong performance will receive financial incentives, while those that fall short will undergo strict evaluation.
This approach reflects not only a regulatory framework but also emphasizes accountability and transparency. With a measurable evaluation system in place, it is expected that regions will compete to improve the quality of child protection, thereby creating a strong and evenly distributed national standard.
PP TUNAS also represents a national consensus in addressing the challenges of the digital era. This regulation brings together various stakeholders—government, society, digital platforms, and families—toward a shared goal: protecting the nation’s future generation. This collective awareness forms a crucial foundation for building a healthy, safe, and inclusive digital ecosystem.
Amid the unstoppable flow of globalization and digitalization, Indonesia demonstrates a strong commitment not only to being a user of technology but also a protector of its younger generation. PP TUNAS stands as proof that the state is present in every aspect of its citizens’ lives, including the increasingly complex digital space.
Looking ahead, the implementation of PP TUNAS is expected to create real changes in technology usage behavior, both among children and adults. Digital education, increased literacy, and the strengthening of ethical values are integral parts of this effort. Thus, child protection becomes not only preventive but also transformative.
Ultimately, the success of PP TUNAS will depend on the participation of all elements of the nation. Government, society, families, and the private sector must work together to protect children from various digital threats. With strong and sustained collaboration, Indonesia can ensure that technological advancement becomes a tool to strengthen the future, not undermine it.
Through PP TUNAS, Indonesia is not only protecting children today but also laying the foundation for a future generation that is intelligent, secure, and globally competitive. This is a concrete step toward digital sovereignty that prioritizes human protection—especially those most vulnerable: the nation’s children.
