When digital distractions are reduced, social spaces grow back\nanew.<\/p>\n
Surabaya (ANTARA) - Amid the strong current of digital flows shaping\nnew societal habits, regulating gadget use has become one of the most\npressing issues in child protection.<\/p>\n
The city of Surabaya, East Java, has taken an unusual step by\nestablishing a collective break of two hours, from 18:00 to 20:00 WIB,\nas screen-free time for families.<\/p>\n
This policy is not merely an exhortation but a social movement\ndesigned to restore interactive spaces that have slowly been eroded by\nscreens.<\/p>\n
This step stems from the awareness that children now live in a\ncomplex digital landscape. Access to information has indeed become more\nopen, but at the same time, risks have increased, from exposure to\nage-inappropriate content and cyberbullying to the exploitation of\npersonal data.<\/p>\n
In this context, control cannot be achieved solely through technology\nbut must be embedded in daily living patterns.<\/p>\n
The Surabaya Without Gadgets movement is compelling because it\ntargets the core issue, namely family relationships. The two hours\nwithout digital devices are interpreted as a recovery space, not only\nfor children but also for parents who are often trapped in similar\nroutines.<\/p>\n
This policy positions the family as the frontline in digital\nprotection, not merely as a supplement to formal regulations.<\/p>\n
Digital Space<\/p>\n
The development of digital technology has changed the way children\nlearn, play, and interact. However, this change is not always\naccompanied by adequate digital literacy readiness.<\/p>\n
Many children become familiar with gadgets faster than their ability\nto understand the risks. On the other hand, parents often lag behind in\nunderstanding the digital ecosystem used by their children.<\/p>\n
This situation creates a supervision gap. Children can easily access\nvarious platforms, while parental control becomes limited.<\/p>\n
In such a situation, the time restriction policy becomes a relevant\ninitial step. Not to prohibit, but to provide clear boundaries.<\/p>\n
The Surabaya City Government responds to this situation with a\nlayered approach. In addition to setting screen-free hours, age-based\nregulations on children\u2019s digital access are also implemented.<\/p>\n
Children under 13 years old are limited to child-friendly\napplications, while older age groups remain under parental\nsupervision.<\/p>\n
This step shows that child protection cannot be partial. It requires\na combination of regulation, education, and habituation. Without it,\nchildren will continue to be vulnerable in the increasingly open digital\nspace.<\/p>\n
In the education sector, gadget restrictions have shown quite\ntangible impacts. Interactions among students have increased, the\nlearning atmosphere has become more focused, and communication with\nteachers has become more intensive. This demonstrates that when digital\ndistractions are reduced, social spaces grow back.<\/p>\n
A similar phenomenon is also seen in community environments.\nProviding public spaces such as sports fields and community activities\nbecomes an important alternative for children to divert attention from\ngadgets. Physical and social activities have proven able to naturally\nreduce dependence on digital devices.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the two-hour screen-free policy still faces challenges.\nIn practice, not all families have the same readiness. Some can fill the\ntime with quality interactions, but not a few are confused when gadgets\nare set aside.<\/p>\n
Here lies the real challenge, namely not in the rules, but in the\nability to bring meaning to life behind them.<\/p>\n
Interactions Recover<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/two-hours-without-screens-1776300643", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }