Paediatrician recommends parents limit children's screen time
Makassar (ANTARA) - Dr Nilla Mayasari, a Specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Paediatric Consultant at Hermina General Hospital, recommends that parents impose limits on their children’s screen time, as it significantly impacts their mental health and overall well-being.
“So, screen time isn’t just about gadgets. It includes television, mobile phones, and gadgets. There are already studies from the WHO (World Health Organization) on usage limits,” said Dr Nilla in Makassar, South Sulawesi.
This statement responds to the restriction on social media for children under 16 through Ministry of Communication and Digital Regulation No. 9 of 2026 on Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 concerning the Governance of Electronic Systems in Child Protection (PP TUNAS), effective 28 March 2026.
According to her, the World Health Organization does not recommend children under one year holding gadgets, based on multi-centre studies. However, in the current era, parents still give gadgets to their children, especially when they refuse to eat or throw tantrums.
Nilla explained that children under two years may only watch for one hour. For example, one hour divided into 30 minutes in the morning and another 30 minutes in the evening. Meanwhile, children aged seven and above are also allowed only one hour.
The Chair of the Indonesian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialists (PERDOSRI) South Sulawesi-Papua Branch welcomes the government’s policy. The reason is that it supports the WHO’s decisions. There are efforts to protect children, not just regarding limited physical activity.
“With gadgets, their physical activity is limited. With this regulation, it will certainly help children to play outside (without gadgets). Because playing outside involves physical activity that is beneficial for them in their growth and development phase, that’s first,” she said.
Second, playing outside actually teaches sensory skills and interaction with others. Not in their own world. With the government’s decision, it certainly supports global decisions and is recommended by several professional organisations, one of which is the Indonesian Paediatricians Association (IDAI).
If screen time is excessive, it is not good for their growth; it can affect attention span or focus, due to the impact of screen exposure to content on social media.
This mentor of the Parents of Children with Down Syndrome Community (KOADS) advises parents that the most important thing is to ensure the child’s growth and development aligns with milestones or developmental achievements for their age.
“We must not miss the golden phase of childhood. Actually, parents should have a pink book for toddlers. It can be checked whether the child is on track or not. When milestones in speech development, communication, interaction, or cognition are not met, immediately get it checked,” she emphasised.
The Child Rehabilitation Consultant of the Indonesian College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation added that early identification is essential for prognosis. The role of parents is determining in supervision. Family time, or family bonding time, is also one solution for them to learn, not just delegating to school or caregivers.