JAKARTA - The use of gadgets in children is now increasingly difficult to avoid. From entertainment viewing to learning media, digital screens are part of everyday life. However, without proper regulation, excessive screen time exposure can have serious consequences for children's growth and development.
Children's specialist from the Indonesian Association of Pediatricians (IDAI), dr. Farid Agung Rahmadi, M.Si.Med., Sp.A, Subsp.TKPS(K), reminded that the impact of screen exposure not only occurs in a short time, but can also continue in the long term.
In a media seminar that was attended online in Jakarta, Tuesday, Farid explained that the short-term impact is generally seen within the first five years of excessive exposure, while the long-term impact can appear after that period.
"Short term is the concept of the impact on growth and development or on children's health from 5 years, while the long term concept occurs after 5 years of screen time exposure," said Farid, a member of the IDAI Coordination Working Unit for Growth and Development and Social Pediatrics.
He explained, in early childhood, especially toddlers under two years of age, excessive screen time is at risk of triggering motor delays, language development disorders (speech delay), and cognitive barriers. In terms of behavior, children can also show symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulty concentrating.
"There is even a persistent behavioral disorder that is similar to autism or the term virtual autism. So, it is actually similar to autism," he said.
In addition to developmental disorders, the habit of staring at the screen for too long also affects sleep quality. Farid explained that exposure to artificial blue light (artificial blue light) from electronic devices can interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that plays a role in regulating the sleep cycle. As a result, children find it difficult to sleep and their rest time is reduced.
In the long term, excessive exposure that occurs continuously can cause difficulty focusing, increase the risk of bullying, trigger obesity, and impact academic performance.
"Restrictions on positions for more than an hour can still lead to obesity as well, there are risks of non-communicable diseases due to physical health, from sleep disorders, obesity," he said.
Farid emphasized that the "excessive" category is not only determined by the length of the duration of use, but also by the quality of the content and the involvement of parents.
"Parents should not just accompany their children, but should actively act as a companion who bridges what is being seen on the electronic screen with what skills can be practiced in the real world on their children," he said.
He also reminded the importance of the active role of parents in filtering content, limiting duration, and ensuring that children's digital experience remains balanced with physical activity and social interactions in the real world.
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