Children across Southeast Asia are increasingly engaging online, which also exposes them to increased risks. According to DQ Institute‘s study, almost 79% of children aged 8 to 18 have experienced at least one form of online harm since the pandemic, including cyberbullying, scams, and sexual exploitation and abuse. The rapid spread of AI-generated content, such as Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and deepfakes, has further complicated the protective landscape, requiring updated safeguards and stronger cross-border cooperation.
Governments in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam have responded to this challenge through diverse legal, regulatory, and institutional reforms. Their approaches fall into three key areas: i) strengthening legal deterrence and accountability for service providers; ii) establishing child-centred safety standards and age-assurance systems, and iii) enhancing governance through data protection and digital-literacy initiatives. At the regional level, initiatives such as the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 and the ASEAN Declaration on the Rights of Children in the Context of Cyberspace offer a shared vision for safe and trusted participation.
Even with this momentum, progress continues to vary significantly. The presence of fragmented legal standards, inconsistent age thresholds, lengthy legal assistance procedures, and existing capacity gaps limits the efficacy of cross-border enforcement efforts. Enhanced transparency and a more structured approach to industry engagement would further bolster accountability. The identified gaps underscore the necessity for coordinated efforts throughout the region to ensure that all children can access digital opportunities while being protected from potential risks.
This policy brief, drawing on insights from the Tech for Good Institute’s 2025 study “The Evolution of Tech Governance in Southeast Asia-6”, reviews the current regulatory landscape, identifies persistent challenges, and proposes priority actions to guide future policy development.
Key policy considerations:
To enhance child online protection and improve regional coherence, the brief outlines four priority areas for coordinated action among the SEA-6.
- Align legal and policy framework: Harmonising national laws with ASEAN-level standards would help reduce fragmentation and support cross-border enforcement. This includes establishing a regional minimum digital-consent age to mitigate cross-border risks and enhance interoperability.
- Strengthen cross-border enforcement and cooperation: Creating specialised national units with dedicated budgets and trained personnel would facilitate consistent cooperation across jurisdictions.
- Build capacity, resources, and public awareness: Shared responsibility frameworks and enhancing digital literacy should be co-created among relevant stakeholders.
- Enhance data, research, and multi-stakeholder coordination: Ensuring robust evidence and inclusive participation are critical for effective policymaking and accountability.
This policy brief is intended to be a resource for sparking conversations about fostering collaboration and promoting a heightened commitment throughout the region to protect the digital generation. As Southeast Asia advances further into the digital era, the safeguarding of young individuals should be a collective responsibility. It is essential to engage in proactive collaboration to ensure that children perceive the internet as a realm of opportunity rather than a source of danger.
