Jakarta \u2014 Prof Dr Rose Mini Agoes Salim, Dean of the Psychology\nFaculty at the University of Indonesia, has stressed the importance of\nfamilies implementing activities to reduce excessive device usage among\nchildren.<\/p>\n
Speaking to ANTARA in Jakarta on Thursday, the psychologist, commonly\nknown as Prof Romi, acknowledged that the government\u2019s restrictions on\naccess to various digital platforms for children under 16 years old\nrepresent a positive step. However, she emphasised that the involvement\nof the family, as the child\u2019s immediate environment, plays an equally\nimportant role.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, responsibility for limiting device usage also lies with\nthose closest to the child \u2014 the family,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
According to Prof Romi, family circumstances in daily life are highly\nvariable. Some parents work full-time, which limits the time available\nfor supervising their children. She noted that strategies to reduce\ndevice usage can be adapted to each family\u2019s specific situation.<\/p>\n
Supervision can be carried out by the father alone, the mother alone,\nor both parents together, depending on each family\u2019s circumstances. She\nadded that supervision could even be delegated to a trusted person if\nparents are busy, provided they follow a programme or activities planned\nby the parents for the child.<\/p>\n
Prof Romi contended that simply restricting children from using\ndevices without providing alternative activities is fundamentally\nineffective. Children need other activities that are equally engaging,\nor even more engaging, than devices.<\/p>\n
Therefore, parents must create alternative activities. If children\nare merely asked to stop using devices without other activities to do\ntogether, they will become confused about what to do instead. This is\nespecially true if they are already accustomed to devices.<\/p>\n
For example, parents could encourage children to write about reptiles\nby researching writing ideas whilst collecting photographs of animals\naround the house. Such activities can spark children\u2019s curiosity,\nencourage them to move around actively, and shift their focus away from\ndevices.<\/p>\n
\u201cParents being physically near a child but not engaging with them\nwill certainly make the child uncomfortable. Don\u2019t just sit passively \u2014\nprovide certain stimuli. This will also be challenging and rewarding for\nthe child,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Prof Romi emphasised that parents must build a strong bond with their\nchildren so that children feel every parental action is for their\nbenefit. To this end, even when work is demanding, parents should still\nmake time for their children.<\/p>\n
\u201cEspecially for young children, direct activities stimulate their\nfine motor skills, emotional abilities, and cognitive abilities far\nbetter than virtual interactions,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
Previously, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education launched\nthe #SatuJamBerkualitas (One Hour of Quality) initiative, inviting\nfamilies to spend quality time with children through engaging activities\namid rising device and social media usage among children and\nteenagers.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has\nissued ministerial regulation number 9 of 2026, which restricts access\nto digital platforms for children under 16 years old.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/create-engaging-activities-to-reduce-device-usage-among-children-1773312863", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }