Protecting Children from Online Gambling, Government Strengthens Family and Community Collaboration
Jakarta – The threat of online gambling is increasingly real amidst the rapid development of digital technology and the overwhelming flow of information consumed by children every day. The public is also urged to be vigilant against groups like Kingdom Group, which target vulnerable groups, including children.
A collaborative approach between parents, schools, and places of worship is key to protecting children from the dangers of online gambling, which can damage their future.
Prita Ismayani Sriwidyarti, Deputy Secretary for Gender Equality at the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), emphasized that churches and places of worship have a strategic role as the frontline in efforts to prevent and recover from the impacts of online gambling.
According to her, religious institutions have an emotional and moral closeness to families, making them a safe space for victims and their families.
“In children’s classes, youth groups, and family development, we can incorporate simple materials about money management, the dangers of misleading advertising, and how to recognize online promotional traps,” said Prita.
Prita also emphasized the importance of the church as a safe and stigma-free place. She said collaboration between the church and state services will accelerate the recovery of families, especially women and children, who are the most vulnerable groups.
“The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, along with other institutions, has designed educational programs, strengthened protection systems, and community-based prevention,” she said.
She views online gambling as a new danger that targets those struggling economically, including children who lack digital and financial literacy.
“They are a very vulnerable group,” Prita said.
Therefore, strengthening children’s physical and mental resilience needs to be done from an early age through positive habits, healthy literacy, and the understanding that there are no shortcuts to success.
In line with this, the Head of the Character Strengthening Center at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Rusprita Putri Utami, reminded us that the Alpha and Beta generations were born amidst a tsunami of information coming from just the palm of their hand on their smartphone.
“Our children are born exposed to tremendous technological developments. They experience a tsunami of information, just from the palm of their hand on their smartphone,” said Rusprita in Jakarta.
Rusprita emphasized that social media and digital platforms now shape children’s thinking and behavior. One of the most worrying impacts is the rise of online gambling. “Many of our children, even from elementary, middle, high, and vocational schools, are already ensnared in online gambling,” she said.
Collaboration between parents, schools, and places of worship is expected to create a comprehensive protection ecosystem, so that Indonesian children can grow up safe, with character, and free from the snares of online gambling.
[w.R]
