Limit children's access to games containing violence: KPAI to govt

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has urged the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) to take firm action against online games containing violence and sexual content given their adverse impact on children.

"Kominfo must act immediately, issue a regulation to limit children from using online games, especially online games that contain violence and sexual (content)," KPAI member Kawiyan said in a statement released by the commission here on Monday.

He noted that there have been many cases of children being targeted via online games, including a case of child pornography detected at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, which is also suspected to involve the crime of human trafficking.

"Kominfo must be firm, block or limit it. Apart from that, the role of families and schools must also be increased. Parents must strictly supervise children when playing online games," he stressed.

He said that many online games, such as war games, have a negative impact on children.

"Many children say bad words due to online games. Online games are very harmful for our children," he added.

Furthermore, the KPAI also asked gaming companies to take responsibility for the negative impact that their games have on children.

"The government and all of us should not take this problem lightly. This is serious and the government must issue a special policy regarding these online games," the KPAI member said.

Meanwhile, psychologist Fabiola Audrey Najoan said that children are advised not to play online games because they do not yet have a strong understanding of which behaviors are ethical and which are not.