Parents in the Digital Era Need to Learn to Listen to Children Not Just to Advise

JAKARTA - In today's digital era, the pattern of communication between parents and children has undergone significant changes compared to previous generations.

The presence of gadgets, social media, and the fast-paced rhythm of life makes interactions in the family often short and minimal in-depth conversations.

In fact, warm and attentive communication is an important key to building emotional closeness between parents and children.

Lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology, Gadjah Mada University, Theresia Novi Poespita Candra, S.Psi., M.Si., Ph.D., Psychologist, assessed the ability of parents' communication to continue to be honed so that the relationship with children remains healthy in the midst of the challenges of the digital era.

According to Novi, there are still many parents who unknowingly have barriers in communicating because they are not used to listening or having in-depth dialogues with others.

"If we are invited to chat for a long time or listen to others for a long time, are we comfortable? That can actually be a measure," Novi told ANTARA, Wednesday, May 20.

He explained, the habit of modern people's communication today tends to be practical, fast, and direct to the core of needs. This condition slowly makes the ability to listen to be reduced.

In fact, he continued, children actually need the presence of parents who are able to listen to their stories with attention and empathy.

"Children do not need to be advised all the time. They need to be listened to," he said.

Novi assessed that some parents often give advice or instructions too quickly without first opening a comfortable conversation space for children.

According to him, such communication patterns can make children feel misunderstood so that they eventually choose to close themselves.

"Don't easily give advice because it makes the room unsafe at home," he said.

He added that the ability to communicate and listen can actually continue to be developed, including by adults. Simple exercises can start by getting used to listening to others without interrupting the conversation or rushing to give solutions.

"We can practice by really listening to others, even when we have no interest at all," he said.

Novi said the ability to listen is very important because every human being basically wants to have a space to talk and feel accepted.

He also emphasized that changing communication patterns in the family must start with parents, because children generally imitate the habits they see every day at home.

"The change starts from the parents," he said.

According to Novi, warm communication in the family does not just come, but needs to be built through awareness and practice that is carried out consistently.