Fathers Urged to Take Active Role as Minister Warns Against 'Phone-Raised' Children

Minister of Population and Family Development and Head of the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) Wihaji has cautioned against allowing children to be raised and controlled by mobile phones, promoting the ‘Gerakan Ayah Ambil Rapor’ (Gemar) programme in schools. Speaking at MAN 1 Yogyakarta on Thursday, he explained the programme’s origins. ‘We have the Gemar Programme. Why does this programme exist? Because based on data, on average 25 per cent of our children are fatherless and have mental health problems, yet they can hold a mobile phone for 8.7 to 10 hours every day,’ he said. Minister Wihaji noted that from waking up to going to bed, before or after worship, and while doing homework, most children’s activities are controlled by their phones, including consulting Artificial Intelligence. ‘Today, nearly 60 to 70 per cent of our brain’s algorithm is influenced by technology. If we are not careful, their parents are no longer us, but the mobile phone,’ he stated. He stressed the importance of parental presence, saying, ‘Just 1 to 2 hours, make the time. I still drive my child to school myself because for at least half an hour to an hour we can chat; when driving, you definitely cannot hold a mobile phone.’ He also emphasised the importance of fathers being present not only economically but also psychologically for their children, including listening to their concerns by setting aside at least one hour. ‘In the past, children confided in their parents; now they confide in AI. They ask anything, even learn about gambling there, and it answers even though AI has no feelings. The brain’s behavioural algorithm becomes like a robot. No matter how simple the meal, eat together, talk, do not play with your own mobile phones,’ concluded Minister Wihaji.