DPR Highlights Case Of Children Burning 13 Houses: Evidence Of Emergency Exposure To Violent Content

JAKARTA - Member of Commission VIII DPR RI Selly Andrianygana is concerned about the burning of 13 houses in Sukabumi City, West Java, which was carried out by a 9-year-old boy.

Moreover, the perpetrator burned down his neighbor's houses because they were inspired by violent content in online games and social media which was watched regularly.

"This incident is not just a matter of child delinquency, but a reflection of the emergency exposure to violent content that enters without supervision into children's private spaces," said Selly Andriany Change, Friday, May 9.

As is known, successive fires hit 13 houses in Tipar Village, Citamiang District, Sukabumi City, West Java. After being traced, the mysterious fire was carried out by a 9-year-old boy who in his confession, he burned down houses in the neighborhood where he lived because he imitated scenes in films or games.

The boy's arson was carried out using a gas lighter. In the last few days before being arrested, the child carried out random burning of residents' houses, especially after prayer time, which made the local community restless.

The child was finally arrested by a patrol officer on Saturday night, May 3, when he was about to return to his action. He was then taken to the Citamiang Police for further investigation. The boy has now been returned to his parents after a family meeting was held to resolve the case at the Citamiang Police.

Although it has been resolved in a family manner, Selly said this incident is a signal that shows the weak protection of children from being exposed to destructive digital content.

"Supervision of the child's digital space is still very minimal. The government must not neglect in creating a safe digital space for the younger generation," he said.

As a concrete step, Selly urged the government, especially the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA) to immediately strengthen child protection policies in the digital era.

Digital literacy must be improved through a family and community-based approach, especially in vulnerable areas and dense urban areas, Selly said.

The member of the Commission in the DPR in charge of child protection and women also emphasized the importance of implementing the parental control system. According to Selly, this system must be mandatory on digital devices and applications used by children.

"This system must be able to limit access to content that is not in accordance with the age and development of children," said the legislator from the West Java VIII electoral district.

Selly also added the importance of cooperation between the government and digital platforms and content providers that must be strengthened to filter harmful content. He also encourages the provision of psychosocial rehabilitation and assistance services for children who have been psychologically affected by exposure to negative digital content.

Not only that, Selly also assessed that the legal umbrella to protect the child's digital space must be formed immediately. "Commission VIII of the DPR also encourages the acceleration of the discussion of the Bill on the Protection of Personal Data for Children and revisions to the Child Protection Law to be more responsive to the challenges of the digital era," said Selly.

On the other hand, the former Deputy Regent of Cirebon highlighted the protection of criminal children. If the perpetrator in a criminal case is a minor, Selly said that the settlement of the case must refer to Law No. 11 of 2012 concerning the Juvenile Criminal Justice System (UU SPPA).

"If you refer to the legal process against children, the legal process must prioritize an educational approach, including diversion and guidance at the Special Child Development Institution (LPKA), although there is still a threat of criminal punishment," he explained.

Selly also appreciated the steps taken by the police and fire victims who chose a restorative justice approach in handling arson cases in Sukabumi, as a form of recovery without ignoring justice.

"We cannot allow children to grow up in a digital world that is wild without fences. Sukabumi's case is a strong warning that without serious education and supervision, technology can backfire," said Selly.

Selly emphasized the importance of the involvement of all elements of society, ranging from parents, educators, religious leaders, to the state, to collaborate to protect children from harmful digital exposure.

'wai is not a nanny, and cyberspace is not a free space without consequences. Parents, teachers, religious leaders, and the state must join hands to save future generations from visible threats, but very real," he concluded.