Indonesia Considers Video Game “Restrictions” After School Bombing

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Following a school attack in Indonesia that injured nearly 100 people, the president is considering limiting access to online games. He believes these games may desensitize people to violence by making it seem commonplace.

So, I was reading that President Prabowo in Indonesia is taking this recent violent attack really seriously. Apparently, he’s asked his team to figure out what kind of limits they might put on things after the police finish their investigation. He hasn’t said exactly what those limits would be, but his State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, let slip they’re specifically looking at PUBG – you know, that super popular battle royale game – as a potential area for restrictions. It’s kinda crazy to think a game could be involved, but that’s what’s being reported.

Hadi explained they’re considering limits on the games due to the wide variety of weapons they feature. He added that the games are simple to pick up, but he worries that constantly seeing violence could make it seem commonplace.

Look, I get that games can be awesome, but I was reading an interview with Hadi, and he brought up a really good point. He thinks we need to figure out how games might affect kids negatively. He specifically said teachers need to pay attention if they notice anything weird with their students – like changes in behavior – because it could be related to something they’re experiencing in a game. It’s a good reminder that we all need to be mindful of the impact gaming has, especially on younger players.

According to Hadi, the president believes we need to address the harmful effects of online games and find ways to limit them. He explained that these games could negatively influence young people, citing PUBG as an example where players become familiar with weapons and may start to accept violence as normal.

So, I was reading the South China Morning Post, and apparently there was a bombing in North Jakarta last Friday, November 7th. It happened while people were getting ready for prayers at a mosque inside a high school – State Senior High School 72, to be exact. Ninety-six people were hurt, which is awful. The police are still trying to figure out what happened, but it looks like a 17-year-old student might be responsible. Crazy stuff.

Police investigating the case found explosive powder and writings at the teenager’s home, according to the South China Morning Post. They also discovered a toy submachine gun with what appeared to be white supremacist messages and the names of two individuals convicted of violent attacks in Canada and Italy. While police don’t currently believe this was an act of terrorism, reports suggest the teenager – possibly a high school senior – may have been motivated by bullying and a desire for revenge, according to the SCMP.

ANews confirmed a report from the South China Morning Post, through the Jakarta Globe News, that a student reportedly brought a homemade bomb to school.

According to reports, police found a soda can they think was used in the bomb. They also discovered a rifle resembling those used in past mass shootings at the location, according to a local news source.

For years, researchers have disagreed about whether violent video games cause real-world violence. Some studies, like one from 2014, found no link between the two. However, figures like U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Ohio State University professor Brad Bushman argue that a connection does exist. While the evidence remains unclear, this issue has been debated by politicians and experts for many years.

Krafton Inc. and Tencent, which has an ownership share in Krafton, both declined to comment when contacted by the media. The person suspected in the incident is currently receiving medical care while authorities continue their investigation.

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2025-11-10 20:42