PP on Children’s Social Media Restrictions Affirms Rules for Young Generation in the Digital Realm
Jakarta – The government has officially issued a Government Regulation (PP) on the Governance of the Implementation of Electronic Systems in Child Protection or known as PP Tunas, as a form of the state’s commitment to creating a safer and healthier digital space for Indonesian children.
This policy emphasizes the importance of protecting children in the digital realm, including limiting the use of social media for children under the age of 18 without parental supervision.
Psychology and education expert from the University of Indonesia (UI), Prof. Rose Mini Agoes Salim, welcomed the issuance of this PP. He called the government’s move a form of concern for the future of Indonesian children.
“We must be grateful because the government has intervened and paid close attention to the role of parents and educators to see the development of Indonesian children’s progress, and so that they are not exposed to negative things on the internet, especially social media,” he said.
This PP not only regulates age limits and supervision, but also encourages digital platforms to take responsibility for creating a safe environment for children. The Indonesian Child Protection Agency (LPAI) even asked the government to impose strict sanctions on platform organizers who violate the rules.
LPAI Chairman, Seto Mulyadi, said that this step shows the seriousness of the state in providing real protection for children.
“Digital platforms that violate need to have their licenses revoked. We hope the government will not only provide warnings, but also take real action to ensure that our children are protected from harmful content,” Seto said.
Support also came from the legislative circles. Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Farah Puteri Nahlia, assessed that this policy is in line with efforts to improve digital literacy and protect children’s mental health.
“A 2023 study by the American Psychological Association (APA) showed that excessive use of social media in children increases the risk of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders,” said Farah.
He emphasized that this policy is not a restriction of rights, but a form of protection.
“Parents and schools need to play an active role in supervising gadget use, while the government ensures the digital ecosystem is safe for the younger generation,” he added.
With the existence of PP Tunas, the government, society, and digital industry players are expected to work together to create a more positive and productive digital space for Indonesian children. This PP is an important milestone in building a young generation that is smart, mentally healthy, and wise in using technology.
