Activity Options That Can Be Offered to Reduce Children's Screen Time
Jakarta — A professor from the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Rose Mini Agoes Salim, M.Psi., Psychologist, has stated that restricting children’s access to digital platforms must be accompanied by offering appealing alternative activities in the physical world.
“Parents must work hard and creatively to develop other programmes that compete with what children normally watch digitally,” she told ANTARA on Friday.
She exemplified that parents can involve children in joint projects at home, such as crafting, storytelling, or exploring topics of interest to the child.
“We create projects together. That challenges the child without them having to depend on gadgets,” she said.
Beyond designing creative projects with children, parents can encourage them to engage in physical activities such as football or basketball, particularly for primary school-age children who are actively mobile.
According to Prof. Rose, shared activities can strengthen the relationship between parent and child.
“Perhaps through sports together, the relationship becomes stronger. Rather than being at home with no communication,” she said.
She emphasised that implementation of government regulations restricting access for children under 16 years old to high-risk digital platforms can help parents reduce their children’s device usage time.
However, she noted that active parental involvement remains necessary to prevent children from using electronic devices and digital platforms excessively.
According to her, the parental role remains important in guiding and supporting children to limit access to digital platforms.
Creative activities of this sort can provide a space for self-expression expected to divert children from passive consumption patterns such as endless scrolling on digital platforms.
Physical activities such as sports, dancing, martial arts, and other outdoor activities can help children channel energy whilst enhancing their ability to manage emotions.
Reflective activities such as journal writing can also serve as an option to help children recognise and manage their emotions.
Furthermore, children and adolescents can be encouraged to participate in direct social activities in school clubs, hobby communities, or volunteer communities to develop their interaction skills and build self-confidence.
“Adolescents need space to feel capable and accepted. This can be obtained from real activities, not just from the number of likes,” she told ANTARA on Friday.
According to psychologists, with active involvement from families, restricting children’s use of devices and digital platforms can become part of their learning process and personal development.