1 jam yang lalu
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Minister of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), Meutya Hafid, revealed that almost 200,000 Indonesian children have been exposed to online gambling. About 80,000 of them are under 10 years old. "This figure is a serious alarm for the future of the country's generation," she said in a written statement on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
Meutya stated that online gambling is not just digital entertainment, but a serious threat that damages family economy, triggers domestic violence, destroys social relationships, and ruins the future of children.
"We have heard many tragic stories from the public. This is not just about money, but about the destruction of the future of children and family tranquility. We must stop this together," she said.
According to Meutya, online gambling is a scam or fraud. The system ensures that players almost always lose and are at a disadvantage in the long run. She also called for the public to educate, remind, and protect families and children from gambling practices.
"We are not just closing access or doing takedowns. The most important thing is to reach the wider community with these facts, so that awareness grows from within the family and community," she said.
She admitted that eradicating online gambling is not enough by just cutting off access and enforcing laws. Meutya stated that the government is continuing to strengthen digital literacy and engage the entire community as a primary means of prevention. According to her, religious figures, community leaders, communities, and families play a strategic role in building an anti-online gambling culture.
Meutya highlighted the proliferation of online gambling ads on social media targeting Indonesian users. The Ministry of Communication and Digital, she said, has requested platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube to take greater responsibility by promptly removing such content.
She also emphasized the need for stronger cross-sectoral cooperation, including the Police, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), the Financial Services Authority (OJK), banking, and digital platforms. This is because online gambling sites will continue to appear if the perpetrators are not strictly addressed.
Read: Can Online Gambling Result in Permanent Loss of Social Aid?
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