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Click with Caution: Keeping Indonesian Kids Safe Online

Published

12 months ago

on

Sumber: Freepik
 

Author: Sarah Crockett (Intern from Australia)

The world has become increasingly interconnected, with the use of smartphones and the internet skyrocketing globally. Children and young adults in particular are heavy users of social media and are at the forefront of digital usage. This rise in digital engagement has brought with it a host of opportunities, but also significant risks for young users. As children navigate the online world, they are increasingly exposed to dangers such as cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, and harmful content. Addressing online safety is thus an urgent priority for all countries. However, Indonesian children in particular have a high rate of access to the internet and all of the potential accompanying issues. 
 
According to the 2023 report by Asosiasi Penyelenggara Jasa Internet Indonesia (APJII), over 80% of children aged 10-17 in Indonesia have access to the internet, with the majority engaging through mobile devices. Popular platforms include TikTok, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram, often used without adequate supervision. While internet use can support learning and creativity, it also poses challenges when digital literacy and parental guidance are lacking. Many parents are less, or totally unfamiliar with some or all of these platforms, making it difficult to warn against same of the dangers of online engagement.
 
Children in Indonesia face a range of online risks. Cyberbullying has become prevalent on social media and there is also a risk of online grooming and sexual exploitation. These issues are exacerbated by the anonymity and accessibility of online communication, the ability of individuals to hide their identity emboldens them in their actions. ECPAT Indonesia noted a significant rise in online child sexual exploitation cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exposure to harmful content, including pornography, hate speech, and graphic violence, is also widespread and frequently insufficiently regulated. Girls in particular are more at risk of facing online harassment and discrimination.
 
Indonesia has enacted several laws to address online risks, including Law No. 11/2008 on Electronic Information and Transactions and Law No. 35/2014 on Child Protection. While these frameworks provide a foundation for action, enforcement remains inconsistent, and child-specific digital protections are still evolving. The Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo) has launched digital literacy campaigns, but their reach and impact vary. Regional disparities and limited teacher training further constrain effective implementation.
 
To address this growing concern, the Indonesian government is preparing stronger safeguards for children on digital platforms. Inspired by recent steps taken by countries like Australia, Indonesia is considering a law that would restrict access to social media for users under the age of 16. The move follows increasing reports of online abuse and growing concerns among parents, educators, and child protection advocates. There has been a mixed response to this proposed safeguard, with some feeling it is overly restrictive and authoritarian while others feel it is a necessary measure to protect the mental health and safety of Indonesia’s children.
 
Kominfo is also working on interim child protection guidelines. These guidelines aim to regulate digital content, enforce stricter age verification mechanisms, and compel social media companies to take greater responsibility for harmful content on their platforms. While some critics worry about overregulation and the potential to limit young people’s access to information, many experts argue that the safety of children must come first. “Digital literacy alone is not enough,” says a child rights activist based in Jakarta. “We need infrastructure, policy, and corporate accountability to protect our children in cyberspace.”
 
There are various strategies that can be utilised to improve the safety of children online. In the home parents can be empowered with tools and knowledge about how to protect their children’s safety online through workshops. Schools can implement digital literacy programs into the curriculum to help children to understand the potential risks. Reporting systems for instances of online abuse can be created and made readily accessible and child-protection laws can also be enhance and updated to reflect the current online landscape.
 
Online safety for children in Indonesia is a pressing concern requiring coordinated action across sectors. With its growing digital youth population, Indonesia is well-positioned to lead regional efforts in child online protection. Prioritizing inclusive, culturally sensitive, and rights-based strategies will help ensure that all children can explore the digital world safely and confidently.
 
References
• APJII. (2023). Penetrasi & Perilaku Pengguna Internet Indonesia.
• ECPAT Indonesia. (2020). Online Child Sexual Exploitation in Indonesia.
• Kominfo. (2023). Digital Literacy Campaigns.
• Raharjo, B. (2022). Digital Parenting in Indonesia: Challenges and Cultural Contexts.
• UNICEF Indonesia. (2021). Digital Literacy for Children and Adolescents in Indonesia.
• UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti. (2020). Growing Up in a Connected World.
• UNESCO Jakarta. (2019). Safe Internet Use for Indonesian Youth.

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Opini

Pecinta Pedas Yuk Merapat: Cobain Mangut Kepala Manyung Yang Lezat, Dijamin Nagih

Published

1 week ago

on

5 May 2026

By

Oleh Eka Lestari

Penggemar ikan udah pernah nyobain kuliner yang satu ini belum? Namanya mangut kepala manyung, kuliner sedap dengan cita rasa yang khas. Mangut kepala manyung merupakan hidangan unik dari pesisir Utara Jawa Tengah. Kuliner ini bisa dibilang legendaris dan jadi andalan di Kota Semarang. Mangut kepala manyung adalah salah satu hidangan khas Semarang. Konon, makanan ini sudah ada sejak 1960-an. Berakar dari budaya kuliner Pantura Jawa Tengah, dan banyak ditemukan di Kota Atlas dan sekitarnya.

Sesuai namanya, hidangan ini berisi kepala ikan manyung, yaitu ikan laut yang termasuk dalam kelompok ikan berkumis atau famili Ariidae. Bentuknya seperti ikan lele, tapi ukurannya lebih besar. Ikan manyung punya daging yang tebal dan cenderung tidak begitu amis. 

Ciri khas dari hidangan ini menggunakan kepala ikan manyung yang sudah diasap. Rasanya pedas bercampur kuah santan yang gurih. Uniknya, mangut kepala manyung punya aroma begitu khas yang berasal dari proses pengasapan ikan yang dilakukan secara tradisional.

Teknik pengolahannya sangat menarik. Sebelum dimasak menjadi hidangan lezat, kepala ikan manyung diasap terlebih dahulu (dengan kayu atau tempurung kelapa), tujuannya untuk menciptakan aroma smoky yang meresap ke dalam daging. Selain itu, pengasapan dilakukan sebagai cara pengawetan alami. Dengan metode pengasapan tersebut, bisa mengurangi kadar air dan mengubah tekstur kulit menjadi mengkilap.

Hidangan ini juga kaya akan rempah, jadi bumbunya terasa medok. Hal itu bisa dirasakan dari kuahnya yang kental dan berbumbu, terdiri dari kunyit, cabai, kencur, jahe, ketumbar, daun salam, lada, dan santan yang menonjolkan aroma gurih, dan sedikit asam. Kombinasi rempah tersebut menciptakan kuah yang pedas dan enak di lidah. Dagingnya melimpah dan ukurannya yang besar menjadikannya sebagai kuliner pantura. Rasanya juara dan porsinya yang tidak seperti biasanya, dianggap oleh sebagian orang sebagai kuliner mewah.

Kini, mangut kepala manyung jadi salah satu kuliner Semarang yang sering diburu oleh wisatawan. Rasanya yang khas dan porsinya yang menyenangkan, membuat hidangan ini jadi primadona oleh beberapa kalangan.

Kalau kamu mampir ke Kota Semarang, ada salah satu warung makan yang menyajikan hidangan tersebut yaitu Mangut Kepala Manyung Bu Fat. Tempatnya sering didatangi wisatawan dan terkenal di kalangan pecinta kuliner.

Lokasinya sudah punya beberapa cabang yaitu di Jalan Ariloka, Krobokan, Kecamatan. Semarang Barat, Kota Semarang dan Jalan Sukun Raya No. 36, Banyumanik, Semarang.

Yuk guys kalau kamu main ke Semarang, cobain mangut kepala manyung. Dijamin bakal ketagihan deh..

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