RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia has taken another step toward safeguarding children in the digital era with the introduction of the Digital Addiction Response Assistant (DARA), a new guidance and consultation feature designed to help families detect and manage risks of gaming addiction.

The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Communication and Digital in collaboration with strategic partners, has been welcomed by the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection as a key reinforcement of national child protection policies.

Indonesian Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Arifah Fauzi, emphasized that DARA complements the Indonesia Game Rating System (IGRS) by providing early detection and family support services.

She linked the program to the broader framework of Presidential Regulation No. 87/2025 on Child Protection in Online Spaces (PARD), which underscores prevention, intervention, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

“This regulation is not merely a legal instrument but a national policy direction affirming the state’s presence in protecting children in digital spaces," Minister Arifah said in a press release on Saturday, February 28, 2026, as quoted on her ministry's official website.

She added that the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection ensures its effective implementation through cross-ministerial coordination, industry partnerships, and family empowerment as the frontline of child protection.

She noted that digital platforms are now integral to children’s growth and development, making it essential that innovation goes hand in hand with safety. Games, she said, are not just entertainment or technology; they are part of the developmental ecosystem.

"Excessive use can lead to addiction, reduced academic focus, social difficulties, and behavioral changes. Proper guidance for children and adequate family support are therefore crucial,” she added.

Data from the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association highlights the seriousness of gaming addiction, with some students categorized as moderate to severe addicts, affecting both academic performance and social relationships.

Minister Arifah stressed that protection cannot rely solely on age-based classifications under IGRS but must also include accessible family support services. Strengthening child protection in digital spaces, she said, requires a comprehensive approach.

"Beyond age ratings, we need integrated and sustainable mentoring mechanisms. DARA represents a preventive and responsive intervention to help families address gaming addiction risks,” she explained.

Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, echoed the importance of balance, affirming that the government continues to support the gaming industry as part of the national digital ecosystem while prioritizing child protection.

“We do not view games as something to be shut down or restricted excessively. The industry remains supported. But the state must be present to shield children from negative impacts, including addiction. DARA is a manifestation of that commitment,” she said.

The Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection called on government agencies, industry players, parents, communities, and society at large to work together in ensuring that Indonesia’s digital environment remains safe, healthy, and supportive of children’s optimal growth in the era of digital transformation. ***