Digital technology development brought major changes in children’s and families’ life. The digital space was part of children’s daily activities, whether for study, communication, play, and expression. Yet, behind all those benefits, there were a number of risks to pay attention to, from privacy and digital footprint, exposure to risky contents, to a number of online violence and exploitation of children cases.

In order to increase understanding and capacity to face such risks, YAPHI attended Smart Digital Parenting Training organised by ECPAT Indonesia in collaboration with Meta Indonesia at Hotel Santika Yogyakarta on 8and 9 September 2026.

The activity attracted participants from a variety of elements who had interests and roles in child protection, such as government agencies, civil society organisations, volunteers, academics, students, and children forum. The diversity of participants created a learning and discussion space that explored a number of perspectives on how to create safe, healthy and child-friendly digital environment.

Understanding Changes in Digital World

For two days, participants received materials designed to improve understanding of technological development and to strengthen perspective on online child protection.
He session on Understanding the Digital World talked about development in digital world, privacy and digital footprint, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Participants learned that technological development brought major opportunities and new challenges, including for children who grew to be the generation closer to technology.

Understanding privacy and digital footprint were critical points in child rearing in the digital era. Online activities could leave digital footprints with long-term consequences. Meanwhile, progress in AI also presented new challenges that necessitated literacy and critical capacity from children and adults who accompanied them.

Understanding Regulation and Child Rights in Digital Space

Training also discussed online-related regulation and child protection including government regulations on age limit and implementation of Government regulation No. 17 Year 2025 on Management of Electronic System for Child Protection (PP TUNAS).

Discussion about regulation gave an understanding about the policy framework necessary for creating safer digital space for children. Child protection in digital space was not only the family responsibility, but also necessitated policy supports, protection system, and involvement of other of parties.

Participants learned child rights in online world and various risks that children might face when active in digital space. Right-based perspective was critical so that protection measures did not limit children’s rights to get information, to communicate, to express themselves, to participate, and to grow.

For that reason, child protection had to go hand-in-hand with respect for the children’s rights and best interests.

Parenting in the Digital World

One important material in the training was online-related family-based parenting.

In the midst of technological development, it was not enough for parenting to proceed by limiting use of mobile phones or prohibiting access to certain platforms. Parents and carers had to have the ability to understand the digital world that the children faced, to develop open communication, and to accompany children in dealing with situations they found online.

The concept of digital citizenship was also part of the learning. Children needed to have the ability to interact safely, responsibly, and to respect others in the digital world.

Accompaniment and supervision in the use of technology could proceed through proportional approach. The objective was not simply to control children’s activities, but to develop children’s ability so that they could identify risks, make decisions, and take care of themselves when in the digital space.

Understanding safety feature in Meta Platform

Participants also learned about children’s safety in Meta platform, including introduction to Teen Accounts and a number of safety features.

Introduction to safety features was critical part of the measure to build safer digital ecosystem. Yet, technology and safety feature had to go hand-in-hand with digital literacy, supportive parenting, and child protection system that was accessible when children faced risks or experienced online violence.

Interactive and Collaborative Learning Space

Smart Digital Parenting training proceeded interactively. Participants received materials, but also got involved in discussions, experience sharing, reflection, and discussion of situations which children might face in the digital space.

Participants’ diversity was a strength in the learning process. The perspectives of the government, civil society organisations, academics, volunteers, and young people showed that child protection in digital world necessitated a collaborative approach.

The involvement of child forum and youth groups served as a reminder that children and young people were not only those to be protected, but those who had important voices and experience in developing safe digital world for them.

Make Action Plan

At the end of the activity, participants prepared action plans that their respective organisation could do.

For YAPHI, the process was important part of ensuring that knowledge gained in the training did not end with the individuals attending the training, but was integrated into the works of the organisation in strengthening children and women protection.

Knowledge about digital world, child rights, risks in online world, digital parenting, and prevention mechanism and risk management could help strengthen education, accompaniment, campaign, and community organising work by YAPHI.

Developing Child-Safe Digital Ecosystem

Children’s presence in digital space was part of today’s reality. For that reason, child protection approach could not separate online and offline spaces.

Children needed an environment that allowed them to take benefits of technology and at the same time protected them from risks. That necessitated involvement of family, community, government, civil society organisations, academics, providers of digital platforms, and children and youth themselves.

Through participation in the Smart Digital Parenting training, YAPHI strengthened its commitment to continuously learn and collaborate in creating safe environment for children, including in the digital space.

Child protection in the digital era was not simply about limiting children’s access to technology, but about ensuring that children had the knowledge, skills, accompaniment, and protection system that allowed them to grow and to participate safely in the digital world. (Dorkas Febria)