Indonesia Considers Online Gaming Ban Following Teen-Linked School Bombing – A Digital Crackdown?
Indonesia's government is weighing a radical move: banning online gaming after a school bombing was linked to teen involvement. The proposed crackdown—sparked by security concerns—could reshape digital habits overnight.
Why now? Authorities claim extremist groups are exploiting gaming platforms to radicalize youth. Critics argue it's a knee-jerk reaction—akin to banning cars because bank robbers use getaway vehicles.
Meanwhile, tech stocks in the region dipped 2% on the news—because nothing says 'stable regulatory environment' like banning entire industries. The debate continues as Indonesia walks the tightrope between security and digital freedom.
Hadi says the president ordered online gaming restrictions
Indonesian Gerindra Party politician Mensesneg Prasetyo Hadi said the government has plans to mitigate the negative impacts of online gaming. The State Secretary Minister asserted that restrictions need to be considered because many weapons are now becoming easy to learn (and use). Hadi is particularly concerned that the profound psychological effect leaves children abnormally accustomed to violence.
He revealed that President Prabowo Subianto has recommended these restrictions on online games, particularly those involving violence. The Minister emphasized that this was a direct consequence of the explosions that occurred at SMAN 72 Jakarta.
“He [the president] mentioned earlier that we must also think about restricting and trying to find a way out regarding the influences from online games.”
–Prasetyo Hadi, State Secretary Minister in Indonesia
According to Hadi, President Subianto is convinced that some of these online games contain content that is not suitable, which may affect his country’s future generations. The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) also went into the field to find the real facts behind the school bombing incident.
Sumardi claims suspect was a victim of bullying
Ito Sumardi, former Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Indonesian National Police, claims the suspect was retaliating against bullying. Preliminary reports based on students’ testimonies revealed that the suspect frequently experienced bullying.
Sumardi also explained that there are theoretically two categories of terrorist actions: Lone Wolf or network terrorism, and the alleged perpetrator appeared to be an independent terrorist. He categorized the teen perpetrator as a lone wolf because the suspect’s sole temporary judgment and actions caused the tragedy. There were no orders from anyone, but the suspect’s own experiences made him carry out the act.
According to Sumardi, the suspect planned to detonate several improvised explosives, adding that the perpetrator simply did not care how significant the impact of the explosion would be. He mentioned that police reports confirmed the perpetrator detonated seven explosives.
The former senior police officer also claimed that the suspect could have learned how to make explosives through social media. He pointed out that the 17-year-old may have been inspired by terrorists abroad because the world is now DEEP into the digital age.
Sumardi suspects that the young man’s frequent interaction with violent, bloody images and the American flag may have triggered the retaliatory bombing. However, he acknowledged that it is difficult to monitor children who are hurt and seeking revenge.
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