Garena has made report card grades one of the requirements for students seeking to enter the Garena Youth Championship Free Fire. The policy places academic performance alongside competitive gaming ambitions for student participants.
The requirement is part of a broader effort by Garena Indonesia and Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, known as Komdigi RI, to promote healthier gaming habits. Their central message is that young players should recognise when it is time to play, study, and rest.
Garena’s Youth Championship Free Fire, or GYC Free Fire, is designed to encourage students to maintain academic priorities while pursuing their interest in esports. The company has positioned the report card condition as a way to reinforce that balance.
| Programme | Main Focus | Audience |
|---|---|---|
| Garena Good Game at School | Balancing gaming, study, and daily activities | Students, parents, and teachers |
| DARA service | Education, initial assessment, and consultation | Families |
| GYC Free Fire | Report cards as a tournament requirement | Students |
Gaming Is Not Treated as a Ban-Only Issue
The initiative was highlighted at Garena Good Game at School, held at SMA Marsudirini Bekasi on Friday, 17 July 2026. About 350 people attended the event, including students, parents or guardians, teachers, and education staff.
The programme carried the theme “Ayo Jadi Good Gamers dan Good Students! Bermain Gim dengan Sehat, Positif, dan Bertanggung Jawab”. It called on students to understand the risks of excessive gaming without treating games as an activity that must be prohibited outright.
Wijaya Nugroho, Head of Business Development, Esports & Community at Garena Indonesia, said the meaning of a good game goes beyond winning matches. “Good Game buat kami bukan cuma soal menang atau push rank. Good Game juga berarti tahu kapan bermain, kapan belajar, kapan istirahat, dan bagaimana tetap bertanggung jawab di sekolah maupun di rumah,” he said.
The company’s approach also includes safety tools within its gaming environment. These measures include chat moderation, profanity filters, reporting systems, 24-hour player support, and a dedicated frequently asked questions page for parents.
Garena has additionally run in-game campaigns called Mabar Tau Waktu and Mabar Bawa Berkah. Both campaigns encourage players to balance gaming with positive activities outside the game.
Families Receive Support Through DARA
Komdigi RI used the school event to introduce DARA, a service offering education, guidance, and consultation on gaming addiction for families. The service provides self-guided educational materials, initial assessments, and access to professional consultation when needed.
Tita Ayudya Surya, Head of the Game Ecosystem Development Team at Komdigi RI, said assistance offers a more constructive path than restrictions without understanding. “Melalui DARA, kami ingin membantu keluarga memiliki akses informasi dan pendampingan yang lebih mudah,” Tita said.
Child and adolescent clinical psychologist Mischa Indah Mariska said online games are a form of entertainment closely tied to the lives of children and teenagers in the digital era. She stressed that their use still requires adult guidance and clear age-appropriate boundaries.
Mischa said gaming should not automatically be framed as a negative activity. Rules agreed by adults and children can help young players understand responsibility while preserving their interest in games.
Hubertus Nugroho Sudjatmiko, principal of SMA Marsudirini Bekasi, said the Good Gamers and Good Students message aligns with the school’s effort to develop high-achieving students with strong character. He said interest in gaming should remain connected to discipline, ethics, priorities, and student responsibility.
Garena and Komdigi RI expect cooperation among government, schools, families, specialists, and the gaming industry to reach more students and households. The programme frames responsible gaming as a shared responsibility supported by communication and clear rules at home and at school.