Social media has been abuzz with the Koin Jagat game, which requires players to hunt for prize coins. Many people are rushing to install the app and play the game in public spaces.
This game offers cash rewards to players who find coins scattered in various locations. However, the game has led to clashes between players and the public in shared spaces, with some players risking their safety and damaging public facilities.
The Koin Jagat phenomenon is not entirely new in Indonesia. It is similar to the earlier Pokémon craze. Such games consistently attract widespread public enthusiasm.
High poverty rates, driven by unemployment and limited job opportunities, contribute to the popularity of these games. People’s abundant free time and easy access to technology further fuel their appeal, particularly with the allure of cash rewards.
“Low digital literacy is the main factor behind the rise of this trend,” said UGM sociologist Nurul Aini.
Aini noted that overstimulation from hyperreality can disrupt social life, as real-life interaction is essential to social reality.
The addictive nature of these games is also a concern. In sociology, addiction is seen as a social problem linked to issues like alcohol, gambling, and payday loans, all of which have addictive effects that can spiral out of control if left unmanaged.
“Addiction leads to increased crime, conflict, and emotional as well as material harm,” she explained.
Aini stressed the importance of collective action in addressing this issue. Game developers are responsible for creating safer games that do not harm the public.
“The rights of public facility users must be prioritized and protected,” she emphasized.
The government, as the regulator, also has a duty to monitor the development of games in Indonesia and to promote digital literacy. A digitally literate society is better equipped to filter what games they play.
“If a game seems dangerous, it’s best to avoid it, as this is not a professional achievement worth pursuing,” she advised.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photo: Okezone