• Indonesia is considering restrictions on online games like PUBG after a school explosion injured nearly 100 people.
• President Prabowo Subianto has directed his cabinet to review the potential curbs on these games.
• Officials claim games like PUBG may normalize violence among youth.

Following a tragic explosion that injured nearly 100 individuals at a school in Jakarta, Indonesia is contemplating restrictions on popular online games such as PUBG. This decision is influenced by a police investigation into the incident, which involved a student’s alleged link to the blast at the school mosque during prayers, according to South China Morning Post, Anadolu Agency, and India Times.

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi has indicated that these measures are being considered due to concerns about the psychological impact of such games. Hadi elaborated, stating, “We’re thinking about restrictions because, in these games, there are many different kinds of weapons. It’s easy to learn. And, psychologically, it makes violence a normal thing,” as reported by Anadolu Agency and India Times.

President Prabowo Subianto has stressed the need to explore solutions to mitigate the negative effects of online gaming on youth, especially following such violent incidents. This incident involved a homemade bomb and the discovery of an airsoft-style rifle related to the suspect, highlighting the alarming potential dangers associated with online games, according to South China Morning Post and India Times.

With over 150 million gamers in Indonesia, the government is increasingly concerned about how online games could exacerbate instances of violence among youth. Teachers in schools are now urged to remain vigilant for any signs of potential violent behavior among students, as indicated by Anadolu Agency and India Times.