The Government is Committed to Eradicating Online Gambling to Protect the Future of the Younger Generation
*) By: Raka Prasetya
The development of digital technology has brought many benefits to society, but at the same time, it has opened up new opportunities for various forms of cybercrime, including online gambling, which is now increasingly accessible to all groups, even children. The phenomenon of elementary school students’ involvement in online gambling activities, uncovered by the Attorney General’s Office, serves as a stark warning that this threat has reached an emergency stage. One of the biggest threats of concern is the existence of online gambling networks like the Kingdom Group, which are considered increasingly aggressive in exploiting technological gaps to infiltrate children’s digital spaces. When the most vulnerable age groups begin to be exposed to destructive behavior, the future of the younger generation is at stake. The government has demonstrated its seriousness through various strategic steps to suppress the spread of online gambling and create a safer digital space. These efforts are crucial, given that the destructive impact of online gambling targets not only financial aspects but also children’s mental health and social development.
The Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Arifah Fauzi, highlighted this situation with deep concern. She considered the findings a strong indicator that child protection in the digital space needs to be systematically strengthened. According to Arifah, when children find themselves in the position of both perpetrators and victims in online gambling systems, the situation is not simply a violation of the law, but a serious violation of children’s basic rights. She warned that online gambling can lead to addiction, psychological stress, and deviant behavior that can potentially hinder children’s learning and development. This assertion demonstrates that the threat of online gambling is not merely a moral issue, but a national child protection issue.
Furthermore, Arifah emphasized that the state and adults have a moral and legal responsibility to ensure every child grows up in a healthy, safe, and secure environment. In her view, protecting children from online gambling is part of efforts to safeguard the nation’s future. She emphasized the importance of multi-layered supervision involving families, schools, communities, and the government to more effectively monitor children’s activities in the digital space. Arifah urged all parties to strengthen prevention systems and block access to applications that could potentially expose children to online gambling practices. This call aligns with the government’s vision to build a productive and safe digital space for Indonesian children.
The government’s commitment to eradicating online gambling cannot stand alone without the support of the private sector, particularly digital platforms that serve as the primary gateway for online transactions. One form of effective collaboration is evident in the decisive steps taken by OVO. OVO’s Chief Operating Officer, Eddie Martono, revealed that throughout this year, the company has blocked more than 7,000 accounts suspected of being involved in online gambling transactions. He explained that the positive public response during the first round of blocking demonstrated the public’s high level of concern for digital security. Increasing public awareness is a crucial force in combating this illegal activity.
According to Eddie, the accuracy rate of public reports in the second round reached 91 percent, indicating increased user accuracy in recognizing suspicious activity on their accounts. He emphasized that these efforts had a significant impact on reducing online gambling transactions, with transaction activity reduced by 97 percent. This achievement not only reflects the success of digital platform monitoring but also demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration between the government, industry, and the public. Eddie stated that OVO will continue to strengthen oversight through a more sophisticated monitoring system and additional initiatives such as the Gebuk Judol program to detect and prosecute accounts involved in online gambling. These steps demonstrate the private sector’s commitment to supporting the government’s efforts to rid the digital space of harmful practices.
The alignment of actions between the government and digital platforms brings new optimism in efforts to break the chain of online gambling distribution, particularly targeting children and adolescents. The successful monitoring and blocking of accounts involved in this illegal activity sends a strong message that the digital ecosystem can be managed more responsibly. However, this significant effort requires consistency and comprehensive participation from various parties, including families, who are the first line of defense for child protection. Digital literacy education is a crucial component in empowering children to understand the risks and avoid harmful content.
Ultimately, the government’s commitment to eradicating online gambling should be viewed as a long-term investment in the future of the younger generation. Protecting children from various digital threats is a crucial foundation for ensuring they grow up in a healthy and productive environment. With synergy between the government, digital platforms, and the public, Indonesia’s digital space can be built into a safe, clean, and beneficial space for all. This collective effort will not only reduce the rate of digital crime but also strengthen the nation’s foundation in creating a smarter, more empowered generation free from the clutches of online gambling.
*) The author is a local media contributor.
