In today’s digital age, social media has become an indispensable part of life, even for children. However, unrestricted freedom to interact in the online world can pose unforeseen risks. Therefore, limiting children’s social media accounts must be accompanied by guidance from parents and teachers, as emphasized by Ismail Fahmi, the founder of Drone Emprit.
Fahmi stresses the importance of parental and school guidance in addition to restricting children’s social media accounts. He suggests implementing rules to limit cellphone and social media use in schools to help children navigate these platforms responsibly. When contacted by Antara in Jakarta, Fahmi highlighted the need for a collaborative effort involving parents, teachers, and schools to effectively guide children in their online interactions.
Relying solely on parental guidance may not be as effective due to the lack of understanding among many parents on how to monitor their children’s social media activity. Fahmi believes that a multi-faceted approach is essential, combining restrictions with guidance to tackle the complex challenges posed by children’s online presence effectively.
One of the major challenges, according to Fahmi, lies in the ability of social media platforms to accurately detect whether an account belongs to a child. The issue of children using fake or adult accounts adds another layer of complexity to the verification process, making it crucial for platforms to enhance their verification mechanisms.
Fahmi also emphasizes the role of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kemkomdigi) in setting clear guidelines for social media platforms. Continuous evaluation of these platforms’ account detection mechanisms is necessary to ensure the safety of children online. Collaborative efforts between the government and social media platforms are vital to improve verification processes and enhance child protection measures.
In response to Kemkomdigi’s initiatives to establish a specialized team involving various ministries and agencies, Fahmi commends the cross-sectoral approach to strengthen regulations for child protection in the digital space. He sees this collaborative effort as a positive step towards creating a safer online environment for children and stresses the importance of ongoing support and feedback to effectively implement these regulatory plans.
Overall, Fahmi’s insights shed light on the critical need for a comprehensive strategy that combines account restrictions with guidance and collaboration between stakeholders to ensure children’s safety and responsible use of social media platforms. The evolving digital landscape requires proactive measures and continuous evaluation to safeguard children in the online realm.
