The Rising Threat of Online Child Sexual Exploitation in Indonesia
Jakarta – The rapid advancement of digital technology has brought about numerous benefits, but it has also introduced significant threats, particularly the risk of child sexual exploitation. This issue is increasingly evident in the surge of child exploitation cases related to online pornographic content, where perpetrators exploit technological tools to groom and manipulate minors.
Understanding Online Child Sexual Exploitation
Online child sexual exploitation encompasses any sexual abuse involving minors, facilitated by the Internet. Perpetrators or third parties often profit from these activities, thereby exacerbating the problem. From May to November 2024, police arrested 58 suspects linked to online child pornography crimes, across 47 cases.
A Major Case in Jakarta
In early 2025, Jakarta Metropolitan Police uncovered a case involving the sale of child pornography online. Investigators seized 689 videos and pictures associated with children. The perpetrator, identified as RYS, 29, distributed the content via the messaging app Telegram. RYS offered subscription packages starting from Rp10,000 (around US$0.61) for three months.
The Challenges Posed by Anonymity
Director of the Cyber Unit of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Senior Commissioner Roberto Pasaribu, noted that anonymity in the digital world poses significant challenges in investigating such crimes. To combat this, Polri is enhancing collaboration with various agencies, including the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), and non-governmental organizations.
Government Efforts to Combat Child Pornography
The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection has praised the detection of these cases as a step towards preventing further distribution of child pornography. Deputy for Child Protection at the ministry, Nahar, emphasized the importance of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law in addressing such crimes and highlighted the role of families in child protection.
Nahar stressed that educating children about the risks of pornography is crucial. He encouraged parents to communicate openly with their children, monitor online activities, and provide emotional support to build resilience against online threats.
Support for Child Victims
The Indonesian government offers support through the SAPA 129 call center, providing emotional and professional assistance to child victims of sexual exploitation.
Developing Comprehensive Protection Measures
The government is working on a Presidential Regulation outlining a roadmap for child online protection, currently in the harmonization stage. This regulation aims to safeguard children in the digital space, addressing concerns about online gaming addiction, pornography, and other forms of technological misuse that can harm children’s development.
From January to December 2024, the Online Information System for the Protection of Women and Children (Simfoni PPA) recorded 11,770 cases of child sexual violence out of 19,626 child-related cases. Child exploitation and physical or psychological violence cases numbered 279, 4,889, and 5,837, respectively.
The Role of the KPAI
KPAI Chairperson Ai Maryati Solihah stressed the importance of blocking illegal content and taking strict legal action against perpetrators, including distributors. She highlighted the need for rehabilitation of child victims to help them recover from trauma. Digital literacy is also crucial for adequate protection and understanding of online threats.
Age Restrictions on Social Media
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs plans to implement age restrictions on social media access. Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, signed a decree establishing a special team to review these restrictions and other regulations aimed at protecting children in the digital space.
Hafid emphasized the importance of expediting the formulation of these regulations to safeguard children from potential online threats.
Conclusion: A Collaborative Effort
Comprehensive and collaborative efforts are essential to reduce or eliminate cases of sexual exploitation against children. By working together, the government, non-governmental organizations, and the public can create a safer digital environment for children.
Take Action to Protect Children Online
As a responsible community, it is our duty to raise awareness and implement measures to protect children from the dangers of online exploitation. If you have information about child sexual abuse or exploitation, please contact the SAPA 129 call center for support and assistance.
Related news: Tackling child sexual exploitation priority: PPATK
Related news: Ministry highlights importance of child protection in cyberspace
Related news: Technology use could lead to child exploitation: Lentera Anak
Join the conversation: Share your thoughts on how we can protect children from online sexual exploitation. Comment below, subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and share this article on social media to raise awareness.