"The welfare and success, as well as the future of the nation are in the hands of children who make up one-third of Indonesia's population. Thus, we must realize a safe digital environment for children,"
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Bintang Puspayoga voiced her support for efforts to realize safe internet use for children in Indonesia.

"It is still found that children's rights to access information that suits their age are not yet fulfilled maximally," the minister remarked while delivering her speech at the Safer Internet Day 2024 event in Jakarta on Saturday.

Puspayoga stated that the rapid developments in technology and the digital space have provided children the opportunities to have access to wider information and knowledge.

A survey on online knowledge and behaviors conducted by the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry and UNICEF in 2023 found that almost all children respondents stated that the internet is fun and beneficial.

Nevertheless, she noted that in the digital space, children also experience bullying and exploitation, including sexual violence and pornography.

Based on the survey, it was also found that almost all children who have experienced violence online did not want to report it to their parents or to the authorities.

To this end, the minister pressed for prudently responding to the condition, including by striving to see the children's perspective for their best interests.

Puspayoga further affirmed that the fulfillment of children's rights, especially child protection, must be provided maximally by the government, parents, family, and all elements of the community, including academicians and business players.

"The welfare and success, as well as the future of the nation are in the hands of children who make up one-third of Indonesia's population. Thus, we must realize a safe digital environment for children," she emphasized.

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Translator: Astrid Faidlatul, Raka Adji
Editor: Arie Novarina
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