The Dangers of Online Gambling for Children and the Importance of the Family’s Role in Preventing It
By: Citra Indriani Putri
The development of digital technology brings various conveniences, but also presents serious challenges, especially for children. One of the biggest threats in the digital era is the rampant online gambling which is increasingly easy to access, even by children under the age of 10. Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid revealed that Indonesia is facing an emergency situation with more than 5.5 million cases of child pornography in the last four years. In addition, around 48 percent of children experience online bullying, while 80,000 children under the age of 10 have been exposed to online gambling. This condition makes Indonesia the country with the fourth highest number of cases in the world in the category of child exploitation in the digital world.
In response to this, the government continues to strive to improve protection for children in the digital realm. One concrete step that has been taken is the holding of public consultations to formulate more effective policies in protecting children. Meutya also said that 287 inputs have been received from 24 stakeholders, including academics and non-governmental organizations, both from within and outside the country. In addition, the government has also held seven Focus Group Discussions (FGD) involving various ministries to ensure that the regulations implemented can run effectively and comprehensively.
As part of concrete efforts to address this issue, President Prabowo Subianto officially ratified the Government Regulation (PP) on the Governance of Electronic System Implementation in Child Protection. With this regulation, it is hoped that stricter regulations can be implemented to prevent child exploitation in the digital world, including exposure to online gambling. The government affirms its commitment to creating a safer digital environment for Indonesia’s young generation.
Digital Communication Expert, Niken Widiastuti, revealed that online gambling has now become a global phenomenon, including in Indonesia. The advancement of internet technology and mobile devices has provided easy access for various groups, including children. Niken highlighted how the illusion of luck and dependency caused by online gambling has led many people to fall into the activity.
The negative impacts of online gambling are very diverse and are not only limited to the individuals involved, but also extend to social and economic aspects. Niken explained that the rise of online gambling can increase the number of crimes such as fraud, theft, and violence. In addition, the economic impact of online gambling cannot be ignored, because this activity can cause financial losses for individuals and the state, including loss of income due to increased social costs.
In social aspects, online gambling also contributes to increasing social inequality and conflict in society. Economic inequality caused by online gambling often triggers tension between individuals and groups, thus worsening social stability. Not only that, online gambling also has a direct impact on family harmony. Dependence on online gambling often causes tension in the household, leading to quarrels, loss of trust, and increasing divorce rates.
Niken also highlighted the negative impact of online gambling on mental health. Online gambling addiction can trigger various psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In addition, addicted individuals often experience a decline in their quality of life, as they neglect their personal responsibilities, social relationships, and physical health.
In addition to impacting individuals, online gambling also has an impact on family dynamics. Niken explained that online gamblers tend to avoid social interaction and spend more time gambling, resulting in alienation from the surrounding environment. Emotional tension due to gambling addiction also often causes stress, anxiety, and depression in families. Furthermore, the habit of lying and covering up online gambling activities can damage trust in the household.
Therefore, it is important for families to play an active role in preventing their children from getting involved in online gambling. Parents should be more vigilant about their children’s online activities and provide education about the dangers of online gambling from an early age. In addition, open communication between parents and children is essential so that children feel comfortable discussing the problems they face in the digital world.
Niken emphasized that the public must be more aware of the dangers of online gambling and not get caught up in the activity. She appealed to parents, educators, and all elements of society to play an active role in protecting children from exposure to online gambling. Collective awareness is needed to prevent wider negative impacts due to the rampant online gambling in Indonesia. With the right preventive measures, it is hoped that the younger generation can grow in a safer environment and free from the threat of online gambling.
*) Social Problems Researcher – Nusantara Social Studies Institute
