Technology Use Could Lead to Child Exploitation: Lentera Anak

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The use of technology carries the risk of child exploitation, either sexual or economic, Lentera Anak Foundation chairwoman Lisda Sundari warned during a discussion here on Saturday.

"Since the last ten years, we have been increasingly worried because there is a phenomenon of utilizing information and technology as a way to sexually exploit children," she elaborated.

Child sexual exploitation involves sharing, demonstrating, exhibiting, and even distributing child pornography materials, she said.

Exploitation is not only limited to sexual acts involving children but also sexting or sending sexually charged messages to children, she added.

There is also the practice of grooming, or intentionally building an emotional relationship with a child, in order to erase barriers in preparation for sexual activities, she pointed out.

In addition to sexual exploitation, the risk of economic exploitation also exists, which falls into a gray zone or has no clear boundaries, Sundari said.

Economic exploitation is not only related to child labor, which refers to involving children in the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, but it also includes the exploitation of children's talents and interests, she explained.

"Most literary discussion states that there is the potential of (exploitation of children's talent)," Sundari, who is the founder of the Lentera Anak Foundation that aims to protect Indonesian children from ill-treatment, explained.

Referring to Law No. 35 of 2014 on Child Protection, there are several elements that must be observed, which pertain to actions taken with or without the children's consent, she said.

In particular, children's consent does not condone economic exploitation because children do not have the ability to anticipate risks, she highlighted.

The second element is unlawful acts and taking undue advantage of children's energy or ability, she said.

"These three principles can actually be a guideline for us (to judge) whether (an incident) is exploitation or not," she added.

Read: Jakarta Police Issue Guidebook on Crimes Against Women, Children

ANTARA