Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi has issued a circular limiting the use of gadgets and mobile phones for children in school settings. The policy aims to enhance child protection, academic performance, and student discipline. It follows government regulations on electronic system governance for child protection.
On December 22, 2025, Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi issued Circular Number 400.2.4/34733/436.7.8/2025 on the Use of Gadgets (Mobile Phones) and the Internet for Children in Surabaya. This document follows Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic Systems in Child Protection, and Presidential Regulation Number 87 of 2025 on the Roadmap for Online Child Protection for 2025-2029.
In his statement in Surabaya on December 25, 2025, Eri Cahyadi emphasized, "The main goal of this policy is to improve learning achievements, discipline, and to shield children from the negative impacts of information technology developments."
The policy prohibits students from using gadgets in the school environment, except under direct teacher instructions for educational purposes. Usage is permitted only before or after class hours, or in emergencies with permission. Teachers and educational staff are also barred from using gadgets during teaching activities.
Schools must prevent access, storage, or distribution of harmful content such as violence, pornography, gambling, cyberbullying, hoaxes, and non-educational commercial activities. Facilities like lockers or storage boxes for gadgets must be provided in every classroom or staff room, along with an official hotline for urgent parent communications.
Sanctions will be educational and proportional for violations. The School Committee and the Task Force for Prevention and Handling of Violence (TPPK) will handle socialization and evaluation. The policy extends to regulating gadget use in homes and communities, urging parents to actively supervise their children.
