The Strategic Role of Youth in Breaking the Chain of Online Gambling
Jakarta- Efforts to prevent the dangers of Online Gambling continue to be encouraged by various parties through educational and collaborative approaches. One prominent initiative is the socialization activity with the theme of the dangers of Online Gambling which is held in the form of a podcast. This activity targets young people, such as students and college students, by involving the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA) and legal practitioners from Populis Justice Law Firm.
The activity was attended by Anisa Asri, First Expert Planner at the Deputy for Fulfillment of Children’s Rights, KemenPPPA. In her presentation, Anisa expressed concern over the increasing number of children exposed to the internet and the potential to fall into Online Gambling practices.
“The trend of online gambling is increasingly worrying and has become a multidimensional threat. Children and adolescents are the most vulnerable groups because they are still in the process of growing and developing and do not yet have mature analytical capacity,” said Anisa.
Anisa added that online gambling is now often packaged like a digital game that looks child-friendly. Therefore, intensive guidance from families and provision of digital education are needed so that children do not easily fall into it. The government itself is currently drafting a Presidential Regulation on the Roadmap for Child Protection in the Online Realm 2025–2029 as a strategic step to strengthen this protection.
Preventive measures are also taken through the development of a content detection system by the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN), strengthening the Child-Friendly Regency/City Program, and the 1-hour gadget-free movement at home to encourage family interaction.
Meanwhile, legal practitioner from Populis Justice Law Firm, M. Daud Loilotu, highlighted the importance of the role of the family and community environment in combating Online Gambling.
“Technological developments cannot be stopped, but parenting patterns and closeness between parents and children must be strengthened,” said Daud.
He emphasized that parents should not completely hand over their children’s education to schools. Children’s environments need to be filled with positive activities such as sports, reading, and spiritual activities. The approach to children must also prioritize educational and supportive methods, not repressive ones.
On the other hand, Daud also urged the government to take a firm stance against online gambling perpetrators, including dealers and admins, and to strengthen regulations in blocking advertisements containing gambling. Collaboration between teachers and parents in building a healthy digital parenting pattern is considered very important. {}
