Parents Must Allocate Time So Children Don't Become Dependent on Gadgets

Bekasi, Kompas.com — Novrian, head of the Bekasi Municipal Child Protection Commission (KPAD), has stated that parents must allocate time for their children to prevent them from becoming overly dependent on gadgets.

He believes that one primary reason children become habituated to gadget use is that parents feel they lack sufficient time to interact with them.

“Parents must make time for their children so they don’t constantly use gadgets. The problem is that parents give gadgets to their children because they don’t have time for them,” Novrian said when met by Kompas.com in Bekasi on Monday, 16 March 2026.

Novrian noted that the time parents provide need not involve expensive or complicated activities. What matters most is creating enjoyable interactions between parents and children.

He cited examples of simple games that can be played at home, including chess, snakes and ladders, or Uno card games with customised rules to make them more engaging.

These games are considered capable of creating interaction, closeness, and building a sense of security between parents and children.

“So the child feels comfortable with the parent’s creativity. And when parents know how to play in an enjoyable way with their child, it will surely create happiness,” Novrian said.

Beyond home-based play, parents are also encouraged to involve children in outdoor activities so they can directly experience their social environment.

According to Novrian, simple activities such as exercising together or visiting the market can serve as opportunities for children to learn how to interact with others.

Novrian believes that direct interaction between parents and children has a significant impact on children’s happiness.

He emphasised that humans are inherently social beings who require genuine interaction, not merely social media engagement.

“This means that when children have bonding with their parents, when there is a connection with their parents, they will be happier,” Novrian said.

Novrian suggested that some parents give gadgets to children because they do not know other ways to make their children feel calm or happy. As a result, gadgets often become a quick fix to distract children’s attention.