Preventing Children's Tantrums Due to Gadgets: Physical Activities and Parental Example as Key
Children’s dependency on gadgets has become a serious challenge for parents. One strong indicator is excessive emotional reactions or tantrums, even hysterical crying, when gadget usage begins to be limited.
A child, adolescent, and education development expert from Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Novi Poespita Candra, emphasises the importance of diverting children’s attention through varied activities.
“Encourage children to have diverse activities, from physical, artistic, social, to spiritual,” said Novi when contacted in Jakarta on Sunday (29/3).
According to Novi, physical and social activities not only effectively divert attention from screens but also promote children’s development in interacting with their surroundings.
She also reminds parents not to give in to children’s emotional pressure. Parents must remain firm and stop using gadgets as a pacifier when children are having tantrums.
This preventive step aligns with the government’s efforts through Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic Systems in Child Protection (PP TUNAS), which officially came into effect on 28 March 2026.
Regarding age limits, Novi provides firm guidance for parents.
“Do not introduce gadgets until the age of 13. If they are already familiar with them, regulate their usage,” she stated firmly.
However, rules and additional activities alone are not enough. Novi reminds that the key to successful behavioural change in children lies in parental example.
Considering children are excellent imitators, parents must be able to serve as good role models in using technology.
“Parents must be role models, for example, not holding phones during interactions, and inviting children to do various activities together,” she concluded. (Ant/Z-1)
Tantrums are a common occurrence in children, especially in toddlers and preschool age.
One cause of children’s tantrums that do not stop during bathing is parents’ instructions that are not specific, which sometimes seem one-sided, thus triggering arguments.
Gadget addiction is one of the serious problems faced by many children in this digital era.
Tantrums in children are a common behavioural issue involving the expression of anger.
One reason children experience tantrums is difficulty in expressing their desires.
Redirecting children’s habits from gadget dependency to more productive activities requires a guiding and inspiring approach, not just prohibition.
Based on data from the 2024 National Socio-Economic Survey (Susenas), around 20.1% of Indonesian children are at risk of growing up without fatherly care.
For busy working parents, allocating short but intensive time is far more beneficial for children’s emotional attachment.
Several parents support PP Tunas, one of them Mia Santani, 36. However, there are some notes.
PP Tunas can serve as a shield for parents to protect their children from the dangers of excessive social media use.