Menkomdigi Affirms Digital Platforms Must Be Responsible For Protecting Children From Negative Content

Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs (Menkomdigi) Meutya Hafid emphasized that digital platforms must take full responsibility for protecting children from negative content in the digital space.

Digital platforms should no longer be ignored. They must ensure that age restriction technology is strictly and effectively implemented. Children's safety is a priority, and we will ensure that this regulation is enforced," said Meutya Hafid in a written statement in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Saturday, February 22.

Meutya said that digital platforms are expected to immediately tighten the application of age verification technology to ensure the safety of children in the digital space.

He emphasized that the regulation on child protection in the digital space that is being prepared will regulate the platform's obligations more firmly so that there are no loopholes for violations.

According to him, platforms must act real and cooperate with the government to create a secure digital environment for the younger generation.

Meutya also emphasized that cooperation between governments and digital platforms must produce concrete actions, not just discourse.

"We remind digital platforms to ensure that children only access content that is age-appropriate. Compliance with this regulation is non-negotiable," he said.

Meanwhile, TikTok's VP Global Public Policy, Helena Lersch said that TikTok has implemented various restrictions on accounts of users aged children, including settings related to private messages, comments, live broadcasts, and notifications.

"We have a special feature designed to protect users aged 13 to 15," said Helena.

Also attending the meeting between Komdigi and TikTok representatives in Jakarta, Friday, February 21, Director General of Digital Space Supervision Alexander Sabar, Special Staff to the Minister of Inter-Institutional Affairs and Strategic Program Aida Rezalina, and Special Staff to the Minister for Communication and Political Affairs Arnanto Nurprabowo.

As for TikTok, representatives from TikTok Global, TikTok Indonesia, and GoTo were present.