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Online Gambling Alert: Junior High Students Taught to Recognize Tactics | Republika.co.id | Jakarta | 2026-07-19 16:18:00 +0700 | Antara News Agency

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Singkawang City's Communication and Informatics Office conducted a digital literacy program in five junior high schools to prevent social media misuse and online gambling among teenagers.
  • The program, held during the School Introduction Period, aims to instill healthy digital usage habits from the start of students' school life.
  • Despite high student enthusiasm, challenges remain in promoting wise internet and social media use, with a focus on educating students about online gambling tactics and digital ethics.

The Singkawang City Communication and Informatics Office has concluded its "Kominfo Digital Literacy Enters the Classroom 2026" program across five junior high schools. This initiative aims to enhance students' digital skills and combat the misuse of social media, particularly the growing threat of online gambling among adolescents.

Head of the Singkawang Kominfo Office, Chantal Novyanti, stated that the program was strategically timed to coincide with the School Introduction Period (MPLS). This ensures that students receive crucial digital education from the very beginning of their school journey, fostering responsible online behavior.

Digital Literacy Kominfo Enters the Classroom is a routine annual program that we carry out together with MPLS so that digital education can be received by students from an early age.

— Chantal NovyantiExplaining the purpose and timing of the digital literacy program.

Reaching SMP Negeri 5, SMP Negeri 8, SMP Negeri 9, SMP Barito, and SMP Santo Tarsisius, the program saw significant student engagement. However, Novyanti noted that challenges persist, with some students still exhibiting unwise internet and social media habits, including excessive consumption of non-beneficial content. The digital age presents vast information opportunities but also exposes young people to negative influences, such as online gambling schemes increasingly targeting teenagers.

To counter these risks, Kominfo equipped students with knowledge on social media etiquette, the importance of verifying information, personal data protection, and the various methods used to spread online gambling through social media, online games, and advertisements. Novyanti emphasized that while Kominfo provides education, the ongoing guidance of students' digital behavior is a shared responsibility among schools, parents, and the wider community.

We hope schools will pay more attention to students' behavior in utilizing digital media. Kominfo has a role in providing education and literacy, but guidance is a shared responsibility between schools, parents, and all elements of society.

— Chantal NovyantiHighlighting the collaborative effort needed to guide students' digital conduct.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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