Nearly 200,000 minors hit by digital gambling content as ministers call for prevention, not just policing.
Indonesia’s women and child protection minister has warned that online gambling is exposing nearly 200,000 children to digital exploitation, urging families, schools, platforms and law enforcement to work together to safeguard young users.
Scale Of Child Exposure And Rights At Risk
Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Arifah Fauzi said data from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs show almost 200,000 Indonesian children have been exposed to online gambling, calling it a “serious threat” to their rights to live, grow, develop and be protected from exploitation in digital spaces.
Beyond “Bad Behaviour”: A Vulnerability Issue
She stressed that children’s involvement in online gambling cannot be dismissed as mere misbehaviour, but represents a critical vulnerability to digital exploitation and risks that can damage their long-term well-being, demanding a comprehensive, systematic and collaborative response from all sectors.
How Children Encounter Gambling Online
Arifah highlighted the speed and scale of the digital environment, where minors can easily stumble onto hidden gambling ads, online games with betting elements and influencer promotions, often without understanding the financial, legal, social or psychological consequences of their actions.
Prevention, Education And Family Support
While law enforcement is necessary, the minister said protection efforts must be anchored in early prevention through digital education, stronger family supervision and continuous emotional support, so children build resilience and critical thinking before harmful content reaches them.
Women, Families And The Need For Joint Action
Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid earlier revealed that about 80,000 of the exposed children are under 10, warning that online gambling is also fuelling domestic violence and economic collapse in many households. She said blocking sites is not enough without active support from law enforcement, educators, parents and digital platform operators.
The surge in child exposure to online gambling shows how easily digital platforms can turn play into predation when safeguards and guidance are weak. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, protecting children will require coordinated filtering, platform accountability and everyday conversations at home and in schools, so that young users understand the risks before a click becomes a lifelong trap.
Sources: EN Antara (2026) , Bernama (2026)
Keywords: Arifah Fauzi, Meutya Hafid, 200,000 Children Exposed, Digital Exploitation, Cross Sector Collaboration
