Government Weighs PUBG Restrictions Following SMAN 72 Incident: Balancing Child Protection and Digital Industry Growth

JAKARTA — The Indonesian government is mulling over strict restrictions on the popular battle royale online game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG). This move comes in the wake of a recent security incident at SMAN 72 Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta.

While authorities emphasize child protection in the digital era, cybersecurity experts and industry stakeholders urge a balanced, measured approach, warning against reactionary policies that overlook deeper socio-emotional issues among modern youth.

1. Main Facts: The Catalyst for Regulatory Scrutiny

The push to review and potentially restrict PUBG stems from initial findings by the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemenkomdigi). Following the incident at SMAN 72, a preliminary evaluation team from the ministry identified elements within the game that they argue warrant heightened age-gate classifications and tighter oversight.

According to Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid, the investigation revealed significant levels of simulated violence, realistic weaponry, criminal motifs, and graphic elements such as blood and psychological threats.

"If specifically asked about PUBG, the initial findings by the Komdigi team identified elements of violence, realistic weapon depictions, language use, criminal elements, and horror scenes such as blood and threats," Meutya stated. "As such, the game tends to fall into the 18+ age category."

To combat exposure to inappropriate content, the government points to recently established legal frameworks. These include Government Regulation (PP) No. 17 of 2025 concerning Child Protection in the Digital Space (known as PP Tunas), which was launched in March 2025. This regulation mandates that all digital platforms, including online video games, implement stringent age verification and user-risk profiling.

"Online gaming is one of the specific clusters regulated under this PP, ensuring that high-risk features—such as anonymous interactions, impulsive in-game purchases, or violent and sensitive content—are restricted or disabled on services frequently used by children," Meutya explained.

Additionally, the government rolled out the Indonesia Game Rating System (IGRS) in October 2025. This system requires all commercial video games circulating within the domestic market to clearly display age and content classifications tailored to user profiles.

However, Minister Meutya acknowledged the economic gravity of the situation. She stressed that while the government is reviewing PUBG and similar titles, a comprehensive study will be conducted to avoid destabilizing a strategic sector of the creative economy.

2. Chronology of Events and Regulatory Responses

The policy debate surrounding video game violence in Indonesia follows a structured timeline of legislative rollouts and institutional reactions:

• March 2025: The Indonesian government officially launches Government Regulation (PP) No. 17 of 2025 (PP Tunas) to protect minors online, establishing mandatory risk-based age verification for digital services.
• October 2025: The Indonesia Game Rating System (IGRS) is implemented, forcing developers and publishers to categorize their games clearly for Indonesian consumers.
• November 10, 2025: Following an explosive incident at SMAN 72 Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, the Ministry of Communication and Digital initiates a specialized review of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).
• November 10, 2025 (Later that day): The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) publicly supports the government’s stance during a hospital visit to victims in Jakarta, announcing upcoming special sessions to tackle online child protection and cyberbullying.
• November 11, 2025: Academic and expert voices, such as Informatics lecturer Lukman Hakim, caution against knee-jerk regulatory bans, advocating instead for a holistic approach to youth mental health.

3. Official Responses: KPAI Backs Restrictions

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has thrown its weight behind the government’s contemplation of PUBG restrictions. KPAI Chairperson Margaret Aliyatul Maimunah expressed her strong support for regulatory intervention regarding war-themed and violent video games.

Speaking to journalists after visiting victims at the Islam Cempaka Putih Hospital in Central Jakarta, Margaret emphasized that protecting minors online requires structural guardrails.

"Yes, if it is indeed for child protection, then it must be done. It must be regulated," Margaret stated.

She revealed that KPAI is preparing a dedicated strategic meeting to address online child safety comprehensively. The commission’s upcoming focus areas center on two main pillars:

1. Cyber-Protection: Enhancing the monitoring and shielding of children from negative digital content.
2. Anti-Bullying Initiatives: Addressing peer-to-peer harassment and aggression exacerbated or mirrored in digital spaces.

4. Supporting Data: Global Precedents of PUBG Bans

Indonesia is not alone in grappling with the societal impacts of battle royale games. Several nations across the globe have previously implemented outright bans or strict limitations on PUBG Mobile, citing concerns over youth aggression, addiction, and academic decline.

Afghanistan

Regulated by the Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA), the government temporarily suspended PUBG Mobile following extensive consultations with ministries, psychologists, school principals, and cybersecurity experts. Authorities concluded that the game’s societal impact necessitated evaluation.

Bangladesh

In 2022, the High Court of Bangladesh ordered a ban on both PUBG and Free Fire, labeling them "destructive applications" that corroded adolescent behavior. The court argued that the titles fostered severe addiction and degraded students’ academic performances.

India

India was among the earliest adopters of strict measures against the title. In 2020, the government banned PUBG Mobile alongside dozens of other apps linked to Chinese developers, citing national security and data privacy concerns.

• The Pivot: The game later re-entered the Indian market via a specialized, locally managed version called Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), operated independently by South Korean developer Krafton without Tencent’s direct involvement.

Nepal

A Kathmandu district court initially blocked PUBG following public interest litigation regarding its negative psychological effects on children. However, Nepal’s Supreme Court later overturned the ban, ruling that blanket prohibitions infringed upon freedom of expression and the right to play.

Jordan

The Jordanian government banned PUBG Mobile in 2019, pointing to negative social outcomes, notably an increase in aggressive behavioral tendencies and cyberbullying among teenagers.

China

While the global iteration of the game remains unavailable, a heavily modified domestic version titled Game for Peace was released to comply strictly with local state regulations and censorship guidelines.

5. Implications and Expert Perspectives: A Call for Caution

While government bodies and child protection agencies view restrictions as a necessary protective shield, academic experts advise a more nuanced perspective.

Lukman Hakim, an Informatics lecturer at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, acknowledged the government’s benevolent intentions in trying to safeguard the younger generation from negative digital influences. However, he warned against making hasty policy decisions.

"This step must be carried out carefully, evidence-based, and in a balanced manner so that it does not merely become an emotional response, but rather becomes part of an integrative digital coaching strategy," Lukman explained via the university’s official portal.

According to Lukman, online games like PUBG often function as psychological coping mechanisms or escapes for adolescents undergoing emotional or social distress. He cautioned that scapegoating video games as the root cause of violent outbursts risks blinding policymakers to deeper, systemic issues—such as inadequate early-detection systems for stress, depression, and social violence within educational environments.

The Way Forward for Indonesia’s Digital Economy

As Indonesia navigates the intersection of digital innovation, child safety, and economic development, the path forward remains delicate. Stakeholders from the Ministry of Communication and Digital, KPAI, and academic spheres agree that while regulatory frameworks like PP Tunas and the IGRS provide legal instruments for enforcement, true protection requires a synergistic approach.

Policymakers must balance the imperative to shield minors from high-risk digital content with the need to foster a thriving, creative gaming industry that contributes significantly to Indonesia’s national economy.