Facing A Viral Trend, Parents Can Do This In Guidering Their Children So They Don't Just Join In

Illustration of parents and children (Freepic)

JAKARTA - Viral trends on social media often affect the behavior of children and adolescents, including following phenomena such as the game of hunting for the digital treasure of the 'Koin Jagat.'

Clinical psychologist from the University of Indonesia Applied Psychology Institute (LPTUI), Anna Surti Ariani, S.Psi., M.S., emphasized the importance of parents' role in guiding children so that they are not easily carried away by viral trends that do not necessarily have a positive impact.

Nina, Anna Surti Ariani's nickname, realizes that preventing children from being affected by a viral trend is not an easy matter. Children and teenagers often find out more quickly something that is currently popular than their parents.

"This is quite challenging because young people usually first know the trend before adults who are wiser in understanding the impact," Nina said as quoted by ANTARA.

According to him, just telling children about the dangers or negative impacts of the viral trend is not enough. Parents need to build a close relationship with their children, so they feel comfortable being themselves without pressure to follow the trend.

The close relationship between parents and children is key. When children feel supported and admired by their parents, they tend not to be easily influenced by outside trends, "he added.

In this case, parents need to actively take the time to communicate with their children. With this approach, children are more likely to be open to discussing problems, including when facing peer pressure to participate in doing something dangerous.

"If teens feel comfortable talking to their parents, they will tend to ask for advice rather than following pressure from the environment," explained Nina.

In addition, he emphasized the importance of parents getting to know their child's social environment. "When parents get to know their children's friends, that relationship creates a feeling of reluctance for their friends to invite them to do bad things," he said.

Parents also need to discuss with their children about their relationships, especially if their friends show bad influence.

Nina reminded parents that they also need to maintain their mental health and self-confidence. Positive attitudes from parents can have a big influence on children. When parents feel comfortable with themselves, they are able to express confidence that will be imitated by children.

Parents need to teach their children to be critical of the viral trend. Providing an understanding that not everything that is popular on social media has a good impact is an important first step.

In addition, building positive values in the family, such as responsibility and concern for the environment, will help children to be more selective in following trends.

With this approach, it is hoped that children can enjoy the digital era without losing their identity or harming their environment.