East Java launches Perisai Anak to protect children in digital spaces

The East Java provincial government has introduced the Perisai Anak program, an initiative designed to create a safer and more child-friendly digital ecosystem. The program focuses on addressing risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, privacy threats, and device addiction driven by social media algorithms.

Vice Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak presented the initiative during the 2026 National Conference of the Indonesian Association of Political Science Study Programs (APSIPOL) at Airlangga University in Surabaya. The Perisai Anak program is built upon five pillars: regulatory strengthening, literacy improvement, information system development, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and monitoring and evaluation.

The initiative includes an integrated portal featuring tools for digital learning, child protection, and dedicated spaces for children. These features aim to provide parenting education, digital habit monitoring, and emotional support. The program emphasizes that protecting children requires a collaborative effort between the government, families, educational institutions, and digital platform providers.