Prevent Children from Being Addicted to Gadgets, Parents are Asked to Apply Rules at Home

Illustration of parents and children playing gadgets. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - The use of gadgets in children is now increasingly difficult to separate from daily life, especially during the school holidays when free time becomes more.

Without supervision and clear rules, the habit of playing mobile phones or games for a long time has the potential to affect children's mental health, sleep patterns, and social interactions.

Subspecialist psychiatrist of addiction psychiatry, Kristiana Siste Kurniasanti, reminded the importance of the role of parents in regulating the use of gadgets so that it is not excessive. According to him, parents are not enough just to give a ban, but also need to set a good example in the use of digital devices at home.

The doctor who also serves as Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the National Central General Hospital Cipto Mangunkusumo (RSCM) suggested that families have clear rules regarding the use of gadgets.

"There must be rules at home. Children should not be at the dining table or in the room alone playing gadgets. It is best to use it in an open family room so that it remains under surveillance," said Kristiana in an interview in Jakarta.

He explained, one important step is to limit the time of using gadgets every day. This time should be balanced with other activities with the family so that children are not too dependent on digital devices.

In addition, parents can also turn off notifications on their phones to reduce the urge to constantly open gadgets. Another recommended rule is not to bring gadgets, laptops, or computers into the child's bedroom, and to determine a specific time to collect electronic devices at night, for example around 20.00 or 21.00.

According to Kristiana, playing games is actually not completely prohibited, but must be limited. Based on research, the duration of playing games is not recommended for more than three hours per day.

"Set a timer. Playing games does not mean you can't, but it must be limited. When using social media, there should also be a time limit, and this rule applies to all family members," he said.

During school holidays, children often play online games with their friends. This condition sometimes makes it difficult for children to stop because they are afraid of being left behind or being shunned by their group. To overcome this, parents can set the duration of playing games in several short sessions.

For example, one game session can be limited to about 20 minutes. After two game sessions, the child can be invited to do other activities such as light exercise, reading, or family activities.

Kristiana also reminded parents not to immediately comply with their children's wishes if they are angry or tantrum when gadget use is restricted. According to him, tantrums are often a way for children to seek attention.

"Tantrums are usually just a form of seeking attention. If parents panic and immediately comply with their wishes, the child feels that they have succeeded in getting that attention," he said.

Therefore, consistency of rules and examples from parents is the key so that children can learn to use gadgets in a healthy and balanced way.