Negative Impact On Children, Member Of Commission I DPR Asks Komdigi To Block Roblox Game

Member of Commission I DPR RI Syamsul Rizal during a meeting with the Yogyakarta Regional Intelligence Agency (Binda) on Friday afternoon (1/11/2024). Photo: Eki/vel.

JAKARTA - Member of Commission I DPR RI, Syamsu Rizal asked the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) to be firm in prohibiting the circulation of games or games that have a negative impact on children's growth and development, such as Roblox.

This was said by Syamsu Rizal in response to the prohibition of students from playing Roblox, as policy from the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu'ti.

The reason is, the game is considered to contain many elements of violence such as fights and the use of harsh language, as well as the potential for large amounts of money use in children.

"We are concerned about the massiveness of the children playing Roblox, which shows a lot of violent scenes. Our concern is also related to the lack of supervision of Komdigi to stop the circulation of violent games," said Syamsu Rizal to reporters, Wednesday, August 6.

According to Rizal, Komdigi must strengthen supervision over the circulation of games that have negative impacts. If necessary, he said, Komdigi must block and impose sanctions on developers and game distributors who are proven to have violated, either because they display violence, pornography, or other content that is not child friendly.

"I ask Komdigi to act quickly and decisively to eradicate the circulation of negative games that are dangerous for children. Don't wait for the viral to react. There must be real prevention efforts, so that what is circulating is safe and age-appropriate games," said Rizal.

"Don't let the future of children be damaged because there is a game. The future of children can be damaged if they are constantly exposed to dangerous games," he continued.

Rizal also emphasized the importance of digital literacy to increase awareness of parents, schools, and the public in guiding children to choose the right content. He also reminded that children who are active in accessing digital media, including through games, will directly receive very strong media exposure and form a free mindset.

Not only about violence and extremism. Digital games can also spread individualistic values that are contrary to our mutual cooperation culture," said the legislator for the South Sulawesi electoral district.

Rizal also encouraged the government to optimize the community's resilience system in dealing with non-military threats, such as foreign value infiltration and harmful content, in line with national defense policies.

"We have a universal people's defense system or (sysikamrata), which makes society, including children, the next generation, a strategic component of national defense. So, digital resilience must also be built from now on," he concluded.