Psychologists Pritta Tyas and Quinn Salman advocate preventing digital addiction through play

Clinical and family psychologist Pritta Tyas, a graduate of the Master of Psychology Professional Programme at Gadjah Mada University, has emphasised the importance of emotional closeness between parents and children through playing together. This, she said, supports growth and development while preventing the risk of digital addiction from an early age. According to Pritta, excessive exposure to online games at a young age can trigger a ‘popcorn brain’ phenomenon, a condition where the brain continuously seeks new pleasurable stimulation due to the high dopamine production triggered by prior digital activity. ‘The online games he plays continuously produce dopamine, which makes him seek more and more. It’s like when we scroll through social media. And it disrupts his focus, it disrupts his sleep quality,’ Pritta said at the LEGO Playground event in Grand Indonesia, Jakarta, on Friday. She explained that overstimulation from online games can affect a child’s concentration ability, sleep quality, and learning process. As an alternative, Pritta recommends increasing activities involving direct interaction and physical exploration with the hands, such as playing with construction blocks, assembling LEGO bricks, drawing, or other creative pursuits. Psychologically, such activities can stimulate cognitive and motor development and problem-solving skills while enhancing the bond between parent and child. According to Pritta, physical activities like assembling LEGO bricks can strengthen this relationship because they allow for an exchange of thoughts, giving the child an opportunity to express their ideas and receive positive appreciation from parents. Nonetheless, Pritta stressed that technology is not something to be avoided entirely. However, strengthening emotional relationships within the family is an important factor so that children do not make digital devices their sole source of entertainment or escape. Through warm communication, shared activities, and consistent limits on gadget use, parents can help children grow healthier amid the increasingly massive development of digital technology. Teen actress Quinn Salman, despite a schedule filled with film promotion, new song production, and musical theatre performances, still enjoys prioritising time for quality moments with her parents and younger sibling. ‘It’s all because family time is always spent with a joyful heart and positive vibes, so I still don’t feel like I’m losing precious time for play and quality time too,’ Quinn said. Playing together gives her a comfortable space to continue creating without feeling burdened by professional demands. Regarding her involvement in the ‘Musical Keluarga Cemara’, which required three months of rehearsal for 15 performances, Quinn said it never felt like a burden because afterwards she could still enjoy her role as an artist and as a teenager who needs time to play. Quinn, who was involved in the animated film ‘Garuda Di Dadaku’, revealed she always enjoys school holidays because she can play with LEGO bricks at home with her family and shop for things she likes as part of quality time with her loved ones. ‘These holidays, I just want quality time with Mum, Dad, and my little sibling. We still have to play, because we are still teenagers,’ Quinn said.