Peer-reviewed article
Glance Into the Online World of Children: A study to Examine the Online Activities of Children in Indonesia
Karen Muller, Astrid Gonzaga Dionisio, Sanghyun Park, Nahar, Ciput Purwianti ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined the online activities and safety of 510 children aged 9-18 in three Indonesian provinces through semi-structured interviews. Indonesian children use the internet extensively for entertainment, communication, and information, but often lack awareness of online dangers and risky behaviours like sharing personal information with unknown contacts. Children encounter sexual exploitation, abuse, and cyberbullying online but hesitate to report these experiences. The study highlights that children rely on simple safety measures and that parental communication about online risks is limited, particularly outside families with strong bonds.
Key points
- 510 children aged 9-18 interviewed across Central Java, East Java, and South Sulawesi
- Children lack awareness of online dangers and what constitutes risky behaviours, such as adding unknown contacts and sharing personal information in online gaming
- Children frequently encounter sexual exploitation, abuse, and cyberbullying but hesitate to report these experiences
- Children mainly share online experiences with friends; those with strong parental bonds share with families
- Children rely on simple safety measures, indicating need for comprehensive online safety education
Limitations
The study is based on semi-structured interviews with self-reported data, which may be subject to recall bias or social desirability bias, particularly regarding sensitive topics like online risks and abuse. The sample is limited to three provinces in Indonesia, so findings may not be generalisable to all Indonesian children or other contexts.
Abstract
Digital technology has influenced children's lives, shaping their norms, attitudes, and behaviours. This study aims to understand the online behaviours of children in Indonesia, exploring their activities, risks, and safety measures. Conducting semi-structured interviews with 510 children aged 9-18 across Central Java, East Java, and South Sulawesi Provinces in Indonesia, the study sheds light on the prevalence of internet usage among children and their online experiences. Indonesian children use the internet extensively for entertainment, communication, and information. Children consider the internet an important part of their lives, although they often lack awareness of online dangers and what constitutes risky behaviours, such as adding unknown contacts and sharing personal information, especially in online gaming contexts. Children rely on simple safety measures, necessitating comprehensive education on online safety. While many share their online experiences mainly with friends, those with strong parental bonds share it with their families too. The study emphasizes the importance of discussing online risks, including sexual exploitation and abuse, and cyberbullying as they frequently encounter such experiences but hesitate to report them. Overall, the study provides valuable insights for tailoring online safety programmes to meet children's needs and underscores the importance of informed digital parenting strategies to safeguard children's online well-being.