Inp.polri.go.id - Medan. Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid has issued a stern warning regarding a national emergency that nearly 200,000 Indonesian children have been exposed to online gambling. 

Even more alarming, approximately 80,000 of these victims are children under the age of 10.

"Online gambling is a scam designed to ensure players almost always lose in the long run," she said, as quoted by antaranews.com on Thursday (14/5/2026), emphasizing that the practice is not just a financial threat but a "serious alarm" for the future of the younger generation.

The Minister noted that while the government continues to block access and take down gambling content, digital literacy is the most effective weapon. She called on families, particularly mothers, to act as the primary fortress against this influence. 

Minister Meutya also urged social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to be more aggressive in removing gambling advertisements that target Indonesian users. 

(mg/inp/pr/rs)