Not Just Limiting Gawai, It's About Protecting the Soul and Growing Space for Children

JAKARTA - The screen of the smart phone was finally muffled. In a school corridor, there was no longer a view of rows of students sitting side by side but indifferent to each other, busy looking down at their cell phone screens. Instead, the loud greeting, laughter while playing together, and warm discussions again colored the school pages.

This is the scene that the government wants to revive through Circular Letter (SE) Number 18 of 2026 concerning Restrictions on the Use of Gawai in Educational Units. For the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu'ti, the policy of restricting mobile phones for children under the age of 16 is not just a rigid rule, but a deep effort to restore a safe and comfortable growing space for children.

"This is our joint commitment to building a safe and comfortable school culture as part of psychological, mental, and spiritual support so that children can learn as well as possible," said Mu'ti in Jakarta, Tuesday.

Behind the pages of the circular letter, there is a sincere intention to care for the souls of students. Through a humanistic, inclusive, and participatory approach, schools are invited not to prioritize punishment, but rather educational and pedagogical principles. Children are helped not only to be physically safe, but also to be protected digitally, socially, and their mental health.

This policy is also part of a new breath to realize the ASRI school culture (Safe, Healthy, Resik, and Beautiful) - an environment where children are free to express themselves, hone their creativity, and establish real social interactions without being distracted by the noise of the virtual world.

This step was warmly welcomed by the Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid. According to him, limiting gadgets at school is an important stronghold in protecting children in the digital space, in line with the Government Regulation on the Governance of the Electronic System in the Protection of Children (PP Tunas).

"This rule further complements the government's commitment to protect children from negative threats in the digital space, especially dangerous content," said Meutya.

In the end, putting aside gadgets at school does not mean being hostile to technology. This is a gentle step to give space for children to enjoy the beauty of school life again - playing, interacting, and growing with a healthy soul in the real world.