Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — In a recent address, Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital (Menkomdigi), Meutya Hafid, revealed troubling data on the rise of online gambling among Indonesian children, particularly in the North Jakarta area of Cilincing. Hafid highlighted that nearly 80,000 children under the age of 10 are using their parents’ accounts to access online gambling platforms, an issue that has worsened amid growing digital accessibility.
“Data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) shows that online gambling is prevalent in this area, with Cilincing emerging as one of the highest regions for online gambling participation,” Hafid shared during a digital literacy event on November 12, 2024. She urged parents to monitor their children’s internet activity, especially as many young users access gambling content through mobile games.
Adding to the urgency of the issue, Hafid acknowledged a recent scandal involving a Ministry employee’s alleged involvement in a gambling website operation. With visible emotion, she apologized to attendees, stating, “It’s incredibly disappointing. It feels like a personal failure for me as a leader in the Ministry.”
According to Hafid, the ministry estimates that more than 200,000 Indonesians under 19 are involved in online gambling, a large portion being children under 10 who often use their parents’ accounts. With imported apps and games facilitating access, this trend raises concerns for both families and authorities.
“This is not an issue the Ministry can tackle alone. We rely on parental involvement to make a significant impact,” Hafid explained. The situation calls for cooperative action, as parents are in the best position to monitor and restrict their children’s access to mobile games and online platforms with gambling features. “Advanced monitoring tools alone cannot reach every household, and children will need direct supervision,” she emphasized.
The Minister pointed out that gambling affects people across socioeconomic levels, impacting families of diverse backgrounds, from business owners to homemakers. She cited the story of an attendee named Nur, who shared how her husband’s gambling addiction led to financial instability and a spiraling cycle of debt and asset loss.
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To address the issue, Hafid proposed a partnership between the ministry, schools, and communities to increase awareness and provide better tools for monitoring children’s online activities. The Ministry has also proposed stricter regulations on mobile gaming and online platforms to reduce exposure to gambling. However, as Hafid reiterated, the active role of parents remains essential in combatting this growing problem among Indonesia’s youth.
(Becky)
