Children Exposed, Puan Asks The Government To Intervene In Combating Online Gambling

DPR Speaker Puan Maharani/DOK IST

JAKARTA - DPR Speaker Puan Maharani encourages the Government to intervene in efforts to eradicate online gambling (judol) because they are increasingly targeting children. Puan is worried that judols could damage the future of Indonesia's next generation.

"Online gambling is now increasingly worrying in Indonesia, more and more children are exposed because it is easy to access via the internet. This threatens the future of our young generation," said Puan Maharani, Friday, November 15.

Based on data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), children exposed to online gambling in Indonesia have increased by 300 percent. Even so far this year, PPATK reported that more than 197,000 children were involved in judol. Children exposed to online gambling are in the age range of 11-19 years.

Not only that, PPATK also reported that there were around 1,836 children under the age of 17 who were involved in online gambling in Jakarta. This figure shows a significant increase in recent years. The total transaction value involving these children reached around Rp. 2.29 billion.

Puan assessed that this condition should be a concern with stakeholders, especially policy makers.

"This finding is a very worrying news, especially regarding children. I hope that the Government is serious in handling the Judol case in order to save the next generation of the Indonesian nation," said the first woman to serve as chairman of the DPR.

Puan said the internet's influence on children was very large. The reason is that judol can be accessed or easily found in cyberspace, especially since there is no parental supervision.

"We cannot blame children because they are exposed to online gambling through various media, including advertisements in games, parents who gamble, and massive promotions on social media. This is not only a matter of access to technology but also family resilience and protection for future generations," explained Puan.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also encouraged strengthening supervision of children. Including, through strengthening education from the family environment and education units about the dangers of accessing online gambling sites.

"Parents' awareness in supervising children's online activities is very important. Parents need to work with educational units to prevent online gambling in children so that it does not spread more," he said.

Puan said the Government needs to cooperate with internet service providers to block gambling sites and conduct digital educational programs for children, adolescents, and parents. The government, said Puan, can also cooperate with schools, educational institutions, and community organizations to spread information related to the dangers of judol.

"Of course, work is also needed from the educational environment. For example, socialization programs can be carried out in schools. And it is also important for schools to increase programs outside of classroom learning," added Puan.

According to Puan, schools can improve the extracurricular program or student skills empowerment program. Puan assessed that, apart from supporting student skills, non-akademic activities can make children reduce the use of gadgets.

"Because we often find that children lack the facilities to develop themselves, so they run away to play gadgets. If we can reduce the time children hold cellphones with more positive activities, the benefits of them being able to increase skills while avoiding bad internet content," he said.

Puan also encouraged the Government to create sustainable programs related to family resilience issues in order to protect the future of children from the dangers of online gambling. This protection is not only to create a healthy society, but also to build a strong and dignified nation.

"So that there are no more vulnerable families but more stable and prosperous families," concluded Puan.