Jakarta (ANTARA) – Telecommunications observer Heru Sutadi said that Indonesia’s risk-based approach to online child protection has the potential to serve as a model for other countries.
He made the statement in response to appreciation expressed by US representatives regarding Indonesia’s online child protection policies during a meeting with Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid in Jakarta on Tuesday (September 8).
“The recognition from the United States shows that Indonesia is developing a policy track record that other countries find worth studying. One key element is its risk-based approach,” Heru told ANTARA on Wednesday.
He noted that this strategy makes Indonesia’s policy stand out because the government does not apply a blanket rule to every digital platform, but rather focuses on the level of risk to children.
Heru, the executive director of the Indonesia Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Institute, added that Indonesia is also working to integrate several key aspects of child protection in the digital space, ranging from platform accountability and age verification to access restrictions and government oversight.
In his view, a risk-based approach is more realistic because not all platforms pose the same level of risk to children. High-risk platforms, he said, require stricter restrictions, while those with lower risk can be treated differently.
“This also makes policy more proportional, allowing children to continue benefiting from technology for education, creativity, and communication,” he remarked.
This approach also leaves room for innovation while keeping child safety a priority, rather than imposing an outright ban on social media platforms.
However, Heru cautioned that the effectiveness of this approach depends heavily on the government’s ability to accurately assess risk levels and ensure platforms comply with established restrictions.
He noted that Indonesia must also remain open to learning from the US, particularly regarding technology, law enforcement, and digital security systems.
Ultimately, he said, the success of online child protection policies will depend on consistent implementation and the government’s ability to measure their actual impact on children’s safety.
During the meeting with Minister Meutya, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the US Embassy in Jakarta Joy Sakurai expressed interest in learning from Indonesia’s experience in digital child protection. She noted that US First Lady Melania Trump is working on a similar initiative.
Sakurai praised Indonesia’s approach as it enforces tiered, age-based restrictions paired with specific permissions and safeguards instead of an outright ban.
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Translator: Farhan Arda, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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