New academic year seen as momentum to build healthy digital habits in children

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The new academic year is considered the right time for parents to build healthy gadget usage habits for children, according to Professor Dr. Rose Mini Agoes Salim, M.Psi., Psychologist, a Permanent Professor at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Indonesia. “When we talk about limiting gadgets, it does not mean they are not allowed. They are allowed. But there must be boundaries. When can a child use a gadget? For what purpose? What are they looking for?” said the psychologist, who is familiarly known as Romy, on Monday. According to the Coordinator of the Early Childhood Psychology Specialisation at the UI Faculty of Psychology, the habit of using gadgets without rules can lead children to access digital devices excessively, resulting in dependency. Therefore, parents need to establish clear rules regarding the time, purpose, and type of gadget use. After rules for gadget use are set at home, schools also have a role in supervising gadget use within the school environment. Romy noted that gadgets can still be used under certain conditions, such as for learning purposes. Besides setting rules for gadget use, Romy suggested that parents provide more engaging alternative activities so that children do not become dependent on digital devices. Children actually need real-world experiences through activities such as playing outside, exercising, participating in games, or doing activities with the family. These experiences help children learn to manage emotions, develop social skills, and train various aspects of development. “Parents should think about whether they want to play outside, do something different, create an adventure with the child, and so on,” Romy said. She opined that gadgets can still be utilised as a learning tool if used as needed and accompanied by parents. Parents can invite children to use gadgets and the internet, for example, to find out why an event occurred. “So the benefits (of gadgets and the internet) are felt by the child,” she said. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs welcomed the rules on limiting gadget use in the school environment as it aligns with Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on Electronic System Governance for Child Protection (PP Tunas). The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education issued Circular Letter No. 18 of 2026 on the Limitation of Gadget Use in Educational Units to encourage wise, safe, and responsible use of digital technology by students.