Jakarta. Indonesia’s National Education Council for Elementary and Secondary Education (DPN Dikdasmen) has urged the government to adopt concrete measures to protect teachers and students from the growing threat of illegal online lending and online gambling, warning that both are becoming increasingly prevalent in schools.

The call comes amid rising concerns over the financial and social impact of digital platforms targeting teachers and children. The Communications and Digital Affairs Ministry (Komdigi) estimates that around 200,000 Indonesian children have been exposed to online gambling, including 80,000 under the age of 10.

Separately, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) reported that teachers accounted for 42% of victims of illegal online lending schemes in 2024, while students made up another 3%

Teachers, particularly those facing financial hardship, are considered especially vulnerable to illegal online loans, while children and teenagers face growing exposure to gambling content on social media and other digital platforms.

DPN Dikdasmen Chairman Suyanto said the spread of illegal online lending and online gambling poses a serious threat to Indonesia’s education system. Teachers trapped in illegal debt often suffer financial and psychological stress that can undermine their motivation and teaching performance, he said.

Among students, the impact of online gambling is even more alarming. Suyanto warned that gambling can impair concentration, lead to addiction, disrupt cognitive development, and increase the risk of criminal behavior. He added that many teachers, parents, and guardians mistakenly view online loans and online gambling as solutions to financial pressure when they often deepen economic hardship.

While acknowledging the government's efforts to block illegal lending and gambling platforms, Suyanto said current regulations remain insufficient to protect teachers, students, and parents or address the underlying financial challenges they face.

He called on the Education Ministry to strengthen financial literacy programs for teachers, expand school cooperatives to provide safe and affordable financial services, partner with philanthropic organizations to support teachers facing severe financial hardship, improve school counseling services for students affected by online gambling, and promote family-based education to help parents better supervise their children's online activities.

"Through these recommendations, DPN Dikdasmen hopes Indonesia's education ecosystem can recover quickly and be protected from these digital threats for the sake of future generations," Suyanto said.

Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid has previously called on digital platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, to take greater responsibility by removing gambling-related content.

"We have heard many heartbreaking stories from the public. This is not just about money, but about the destruction of children's futures and families' well-being. We must stop this together," she said in May.

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