RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA) is promoting traditional games to mark National Children’s Day (HAN) 2026, aiming to shape children’s character and provide alternatives to gadget use.

Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Arifah Fauzi said the campaign began during the 2025 HAN commemoration. She stressed that children should not only be restricted from using gadgets but also be given healthy and educational play spaces.

“We cannot simply prohibit children from using gadgets; we must also provide alternative activities. That is why we are once again promoting traditional games as part of children’s character development,” Minister Arifah said at a press conference at her official residence in the Widya Chandra Complex, South Jakarta, on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

She explained that since last year, the ministry has asked local administrations to provide traditional games rooted in local wisdom. Each region, she noted, has unique games that instill values of togetherness, sportsmanship, cooperation, and respect for others from an early age.

“Since last year, we have asked local administrations to provide traditional games based on local wisdom to support children’s character development. Every region has traditional games that teach values of togetherness, sportsmanship, cooperation, and respect,” she said.

Minister Arifah emphasized that traditional games teach children to work together, respect others, take turns, and practice Pancasila values in daily life. These values of tolerance and unity, she added, grow naturally through collaborative play, regardless of a child’s religious or social background.

“Whatever their religion or background, children still play together. Without realizing it, that is where the values of togetherness and tolerance are instilled,” she said.

She also reminded parents not to feel complacent simply because their children spend more time at home. Threats, she warned, often arise from digital spaces that are difficult to monitor.

“Do not assume children are safe just because they spend more time at home. Threats now come through digital spaces. Parents must accompany and supervise their children’s digital activities to prevent risks such as violence and online bullying,” Minister Arifah said.

She admitted that she often asks parents whether they can monitor all of their children’s digital activities around the clock, but believes almost no parent can do so.

Therefore, she stressed, child protection cannot be the sole responsibility of families. The government, schools, communities, and all stakeholders must collaborate to create safe environments for children to grow and develop.

“The rate of violence resulting from unsupervised social media use remains very high. Many children suffer mental health problems after becoming victims of online bullying, and parents are often unaware of these changes,” she said. (Misni Parjiati)