Speaking in response to concerns over a video entitled “Lelaki Kardus” (Cardboard Man) that recently went viral on YouTube, Yohana said her ministry would take necessary steps to ensure all Indonesian children would only be able to access age-appropriate content.

“I will communicate with a special team at the ministry to take necessary action; filtering content that has the potential to have a harmful effect,” she said on the sidelines of an inspection at Pulogadung Bus Terminal in East Jakarta on Monday.

The video features a little girl who, together with her friends, sings a song entitled “Lelaki Kardus”. The song is allegedly full of harsh words aimed at mocking her father. In the song, the girl’s father is described an abusive man who is violent to her mother, betraying her further by marrying another woman.

Yohana also highlighted recent violence involving a school student in Sidoarjo, East Java. The case involved a student who reported a teacher for having pinched him because he did not perform the Dhuha (morning) prayer, a religious activity that the school expects all students to participate in. The child was reportedly seen to have bruises on his arm.

“Everyone below the age of18 years is categorized as a child. They should not be either pinched or hit,” said the minister.

There are fewer reports of domestic or non-domestic violence during the Ramadhan fasting month, according to Yohana. However, she said, there might be cases of violence against children that do not get public attention. “I think it’s like a tip of an iceberg. We urge the public to protect and report any abuse against children as we want to become a country friendly to children and women”. (fac/ebf)

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