Schools in Bengkayang welcome social media restrictions for children

Bengkayang (ANTARA) - Schools in Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan, have welcomed the government’s policy on restricting social media use for children under 16 years old, as it is seen to protect mental development and increase students’ focus on learning.

The head of SMP Swasta Amkur Bengkayang, Sister Lusia, stated that her institution fully supports the policy, which aligns with measures already implemented in the school environment.

“We prohibit students from bringing mobile phones to school so they can focus more on lessons and minimise classroom disruptions. This policy is also the result of an agreement with parents during school meetings,” Lusia said in Bengkayang on Thursday.

According to her, restricting social media use from an early age is important, given that children are not yet fully able to filter the overwhelming flow of digital information.

Meanwhile, she hopes the social media restriction policy for children can curb the potential for cyberbullying and exposure to negative content that risks affecting the development of minors.

“The school also emphasises the importance of synergy between parents and educators in supervising gadget use outside the school environment so that the policy can run effectively and sustainably,” she said.

“Uncontrolled social media use can disrupt students’ concentration in learning. With these restrictions, students are expected to be more focused and productive in the teaching and learning process,” she added.

One student, Josua, admitted he has no issue with the rule, as it brings positive impacts to learning activities. He also said the social media restrictions provide greater benefits because they are not preoccupied with playing on gadgets and can socialise more.

“Social media does have benefits, but it often disrupts concentration. With these restrictions, we can focus more on our main duty as students,” he said.