Beware! Recognize Child Grooming Modus in Social Media and Internet
JAKARTA - Currently, social media is being enlivened by the phenomenon of child grooming, a moment when adults have a romantic relationship with a partner under the age of 18.
When an e-book from a public figure Aurelie was published, this issue became the focus of public attention, especially the government, which tried to provide education regarding the dangers of child grooming.
Not only in the real world, the government is also aware of the child grooming language community that occurs on the internet, especially social media, where everyone can be free to do anything in it.
Modus Child Grooming through Social Media and Internet
Launching the official Government website, Indonesia.go.id, this mode does not seem dangerous at first. Where the perpetrator uses social media, online games, and messaging applications to build closeness with children.
Here are some of the child grooming modus operandi that need to be considered:
Disguising himself as a peer to build trust Giving excessive attention and becoming a child's "confidant" Inviting to private chats or closed and unsupervised platforms Giving gifts, credit, or game items as emotional bonds Discussing personal topics, up to sexuality to blur the boundaries Manipulating emotions and threats to make children obey the perpetrator's wishesThe government itself through the Ministry of Communication and Digital has issued Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 concerning the Governance of the Implementation of Electronic Systems in the Protection of Children (PP TUNAS).
This rule requires digital platforms to be more responsible, ranging from managing children's accounts, limiting risky features, to stricter supervision.
However, the Minister of Communication and Information, Meutya Hafid, emphasized that the active role of parents, with the strong involvement of mothers in digital parenting, is needed to supervise and protect children from crimes in the digital space.
"This rule was made so that the digital ecosystem is healthier, but its implementation depends very much on the involvement of parents at home, with the important role of mothers in accompanying children," said Meutya.