Last Friday, 2 October 2026, the Indonesian Bible Society, a member of the Indonesian Christian Literacy Association (PLKI)—together with Bina Kasih, organised a talk show discussing the challenges of parenting and exposure to pornography in the digital age. This event was actually part of the Parenting Journey, a series of outreach activities for the New Translation 2 (TB 2) of the Parenting Bible.

This event took place at the Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC), coinciding with the Indonesia International Book Fair (IIBF). From the moment preparations began, the JCC grounds were already filled with book lovers and literacy enthusiasts. Although the venue was bustling, the atmosphere of the event remained calm. The discussion was lively, with the audience actively asking questions.

In this talkshow, the two panellists, Rev. Anwar Tjen, Ph.D., and Rev. Christofer Tapiheru, offered different perspectives. Consequently, the topic expanded from simply monitoring children to the issue of how parents can build trust and become a safe haven for their children. Led by a host from Bina Kasih, the entire programme flowed smoothly.

The event, held at the Assembly Hall & Lower Level, Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC Senayan), Jakarta, was attended by parents and teenagers. One of the in-depth discussions centred on how parents should behave towards their children amidst the challenges they face in the digital age. Some of the frequently asked questions included:

- To what extent should parents monitor their children’s activities?
- Should parents install CCTV or carry out constant surveillance?
- How should boundaries be set in parenting?
- How should parents manage their children’s internet access?
- How can parents teach their children to love and respect themselves?
- How should parents respond when their children are exposed to pornography by others?

Both Mr Anwar and Mr Christofer have their own perspectives on these questions. Interestingly, although they speak from different perspectives, their ideas remain coherent and complement one another.

However, the main focus was not on how intellectually capable these speakers were, but rather on their capacity for empathy, which served as a bridge to the participants. One such impact was felt when a member of the audience recounted the case of a 16-year-old child who had been exposed to pornography by a carer who had worked for their family for 16 years.

This discussion opened our eyes to the fact that child protection is not only about technology, but also about the environment and the people who interact directly with children. Various alternative approaches were proposed, including instilling values in children from an early age to serve as a foundation, a bulwark, and even a shield for them.

According to Mr Anwar, there are no quick-fix solutions to parenting, as child-rearing must be holistic and grounded in values. One crucial value that needs to be instilled is that children are precious creations of God. A child’s self-worth is not determined by their achievements or the judgements of others; even before birth, a child already possesses infinite worth. He added, “Parents need to instil self-confidence whilst also teaching that every person has equal worth and deserves respect! Even supervision cannot replace the development of values within a child!”

Meanwhile, Mr Christofer stated that it is impossible for parents to monitor their children 24 hours a day. Therefore, parents need to act as the ‘first filter’ for their children when they are exposed to various forms of information and digital content. Furthermore, in fulfilling this role, parents also need to understand technology and cannot be completely ‘technologically illiterate’ when supporting their children.

When a child is exposed to pornography, parents should not position themselves as the enemy or merely as the punisher, but rather as a friend and a source of support for the child to discuss the issue and its surrounding context.

Ultimately, the message regarding parenting in the context of technology and information is not merely about strict parental supervision of children, but about building values and trust. Children must be able to view their relationship with their parents as one that is not only healthy, but also a safe space in which to speak when serious issues weigh heavily on their minds.