Indonesia's National Child Day Highlights Digital Safety and AI Ethics

Indonesia observed its 42nd National Child Day on 23 July 2026 under the theme “Love Children, Protect and Build the Future”. Officials emphasized creating safe and comfortable spaces for children in families, schools, public areas and the digital realm. Data from the national statistics agency show that over 78 % of children aged 5‑17 own a mobile phone, nearly 74 % are online, and 48 % of Indonesia’s internet users are under 18, with many spending more than seven hours a day on screens.

A separate report highlighted the rapid uptake of artificial‑intelligence tools by children for homework, translation, image creation and conversation. With only about 37.5 % of surveyed children having received guidance on online safety, educators argue that AI ethics must be taught in classrooms. Since the 2025/2026 school year, coding and AI subjects have been introduced, but curricula are urged to include lessons on algorithmic bias, data collection, and responsible use to prevent deep‑fakes, plagiarism and misinformation.