She noted that recent data from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs shows nearly 200,000 Indonesian children have been exposed to these illicit digital activities.
“This poses a serious threat to children’s rights to live, grow, develop, and be protected from various forms of exploitation in the digital space,” she said in Jakarta on Saturday.
According to her, the involvement of children in online gambling cannot be viewed merely as a behavioral issue.
Instead it represents a critical vulnerability to digital exploitation and risks that can harm their future well-being.
This complex digital matter demands a comprehensive, systematic, and collaborative response from all sectors of society.
The fast-paced and massive nature of the digital world makes it easy for children to encounter gambling content through hidden advertisements.
They are also exposed through digital games with gambling elements and influencer promotions while not understanding the transaction risks.
“In many cases, children do not yet have adequate capacity to understand legal, social, and psychological consequences of online gambling activities,” Fauzi remarked.
Therefore she underscored that protection efforts cannot rely solely on law enforcement but must be strengthened through early prevention.
The minister added that education, family supervision, and continuous emotional support are also essential components of the strategy.
Previously Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid revealed that roughly 80,000 of the exposed children are aged under 10.
Hafid expressed deep concern over the impact of online gambling on women and families across the country.
Many families have reportedly lost their economic stability or suffered domestic violence as a result of members becoming trapped.
Hafid noted that while her ministry continues to block online gambling sites the effort must be supported by cross-sector collaboration.
This joint effort requires active participation from law enforcement officials, educators, parents, and digital platform operators alike.
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Translator: Anita Permata, Raka Adji
Editor: Arie Novarina
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