Expert Warns of Long-Term Dangers of Excessive Gadget Exposure in Children

Excessive use of gadgets over the long term can have a detrimental impact on children’s physical health and neurological development. This was emphasised by Tuty Herawati, a member of the Indonesian Paediatric Society (IDAI), quoted on Wednesday (25/3). Tuty explained that exposure to gadgets during crucial growth phases (ages 5 to 15) risks triggering persistent developmental disorders into adulthood. One often overlooked impact is changes in physical structure and nervous system function. “At first glance, it might seem like just a posture change, such as slouching. But internally, it could be related to the nervous system, so this is not something to be taken lightly,” said Tuty. The level of risk depends greatly on intensity, duration, and the balance of the child’s activities. Children who remain physically active and regularly play outdoors have a lower chance of developmental disorders compared to those constantly glued to screens. In agreement, Prof. Dr. Rose Mini Agoes Salim, M.Psi., Professor at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Indonesia, highlighted the impact of gadgets on brain capacity. According to her, limited and monotonous stimuli from digital content can lead to a condition known as brain drop. “During the golden age, a child’s brain is highly receptive to various stimuli. But if they only receive the same things repeatedly, other abilities are not stimulated,” explained Prof. Rose. She stressed that brain development is determined by the number of neural connections formed from varied experiences, not merely brain size. “Children need diverse experiences for their brain connections to develop optimally. Technology can be utilised, but it should not be the sole source of stimulation,” she added. To mitigate these negative impacts, the government has issued Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 (PP Tunas) on the Governance of Electronic Systems in Child Protection. However, Tuty emphasised that the regulation will only function optimally if families play an active role. Parents are expected to be consistent in regulating, accompanying, and supervising gadget use to safeguard children’s development in the digital era.