Devices Are Not Good For Children, Kak Seto: If They Are Often Angry, Parents Must Be Alert

Illustration Photo by Onur Binay on Unsplash

JAKARTA - Addiction to gadgets (devices) in children can cause mental disorders if not addressed immediately. And that's a sign of a serious problem.

Children who are addicted to gadgets can suddenly get angry when the signal is difficult, the quota runs out, or their enjoyment and comfort are not fulfilled. In fact, some have even been treated in a mental hospital, explained psychologist Seto Mulyadi.

"So from these various things, something that is enjoyed and causing the comfortable situation, suddenly disappears in no time, it can indeed cause stress for children. He can't learn socially, can't see how to socialize," explained the General Chairperson of the Children Protection Agency of Indonesia (LPAI), Sunday, July 24.

Quoted from Antara, Seto explained that there are several conditions that parents must watch out for when their child is addicted to gadgets. If the child is difficult to manage and interferes with eating patterns, worship, and study time, this needs to be watched out for. Especially if the child's mood is difficult to control if kept away from the device.

"If the child has started to be disorganized, like when it's time to eat, he doesn't eat. Time to worship, he doesn't worship. He is also refusing to study. Keep playing with gadgets. Sometimes he locks himself in his room. Or is grumpy. Angry, now you have to be alert. Something is wrong with the child's soul," said Kak Seto.

If it has reached that stage, parents should be able to immediately take the time to communicate with their children. Thus, a friendly relationship between parents and children can be established so that children are not only focused on their gadgets.

"So get in the habit of holding family meetings. Or chatting, having fun chatting together, for example. Don't just give orders. But from now on, mom and dad want to hear what do you think we did wrong? That's it," said Kak Seto.

With dialogue, according to Kak Seto, friendship is established. Finally, the child is more comfortable that the father and mother have now changed. Not like it used to. "Because it's also a place for children to run away. As soon as the mother gets angry, the father ignores it, that's all. He's really fun with gadgets," he concluded.