Google, YouTube train 2,500 Jakarta counsellors to bolster digital wellbeing

YouTube’s role in Indonesia has expanded far beyond entertainment, evolving into a mainstream learning platform embedded in classrooms and homes alike. Now, Google and YouTube are sharpening that role by putting digital wellbeing and youth mental health at the centre of their education strategy.

Through AKSI Digital (Anak & Keluarga Sigap Digital), Google and YouTube have partnered with the Jakarta provincial government (Pemprov DKI Jakarta), mental health professionals and leading academic institutions to train around 2,500 school guidance counsellors (guru Bimbingan Konseling) in a pilot programme. The initiative also introduces a Digital Wellbeing Guidebook aimed at supporting the mental health of Indonesian teenagers, alongside resources for teachers and parents.

The move comes as YouTube cements itself as a core pillar of Indonesia’s learning ecosystem. According to data cited by the company, 96% of teachers in Indonesia who use YouTube integrate its content into lessons or school assignments, signalling a clear pedagogical shift in how students learn. Meanwhile, 82% of those teachers agree that YouTube helps explain complex topics in a way that is easier for students to understand.

Don't miss: YouTube Shopping in Indonesia surges as watch time soars 400% in one year

Extending digital wellbeing into the home

As technology becomes more deeply embedded in classrooms, Google and YouTube argue that access to content alone is no longer enough. Supporting educators, they say, also means equipping them with the skills to navigate digital environments safely and responsibly - both for themselves and for their students.

To that end, the AKSI Digital programme is being developed in collaboration with Pemprov DKI Jakarta, the Indonesian Psychiatric Association (PDSKJI), Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central General Hospital (RSCM), and the University of Indonesia. Together, the partners have created a set of digital wellbeing resources designed to address adolescent mental health holistically.

These same resources will be used to train guidance counsellors across Jakarta, with the aim of helping them better identify, manage and support the mental health challenges faced by students in an increasingly digital-first environment.

The initiative does not stop at schools. Google and YouTube are also leaning heavily into parental tools designed to encourage healthier digital habits at home - an area of growing importance as screen time continues to rise.

Recently, YouTube introduced what it describes as the industry’s first Shorts timer, allowing parents to set usage limits in real time. Parents can restrict Shorts entirely during exam weeks or allow limited entertainment time at weekends. Additional features include customised Bedtime and Take a Break reminders, while the School time feature on Family Link has been expanded to more devices to help reduce distractions during learning hours.

These efforts appear to be resonating with families. The company reports that 92% of parents using supervised YouTube accounts agree that the features provide a safer and more controlled digital environment for their children.

Trust fuels YouTube’s education proposition

That trust underpins YouTube’s growing legitimacy as a learning platform. According to the same data set, 89% of parents agree that their children benefit from using YouTube for educational purposes, while 92% believe the platform helps make learning more inclusive.

For marketers and brand leaders, this shift highlights YouTube’s transformation into a trusted extension of the classroom - supporting everything from homework to practical career skills. Central to this ecosystem is the rise of “edukreators”, a new generation of teachers-turned-content creators reshaping online education.

Since 2020, the Edukreator Academy - run in collaboration with Kok Bisa and Senyawa+ - has trained more than 4,000 creators and teachers across 34 provinces. Last year alone, 568 new graduates joined the programme, gaining skills in content production and the use of AI tools such as Gemini to help build a safer, more inclusive and higher-quality digital education landscape.

From science teacher Mr. Klik, who turns lessons into interactive adventures, to kejarcita, which produces content aligned with the national curriculum, Indonesian edukreators are positioning high-quality tutoring as a right rather than a privilege - accessible whether students are in remote villages or central Jakarta.

For Google and YouTube, the message is clear: education, safety and wellbeing are inseparable in a digital-first future. By working alongside educators, parents and local partners, the company says it remains committed to investing in learning environments that are safe, accessible and trusted.

Related articles:
YouTube tightens monetisation rules to clamp down on repetitive content
How Google's Stranger Things stunt unlocked brand magic
Google strengthens SEA leadership to accelerate AI-driven growth