The '3S' Regulation Applied to Limit Children's Digital Access in Schools

Jakarta — The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has stated that the ‘3S’ regulation can be applied to limit children’s digital access within school environments. Director General of Early Childhood Education Gogot Suharwoto explained that the ‘3S’ framework comprises screen time (waktu layar), screen zone (zona layar), and screen break (jeda layar). ‘The first S is screen time. So the appropriate time when children can use devices,’ Gogot said at the Bisnis Indonesia Forum titled ‘Beyond Regulation: The Future of Child Protection in the Digital Space’ in Jakarta on Wednesday. He noted that many schools currently ask students to hand over their devices to school administrators during teaching and learning activities. Some schools only allow device use when needed for learning, to limit digital device usage within the school environment. ‘These provisions can be implemented by schools independently without needing a ministerial directive. The point is to ensure child protection in the digital space, of course this is allowed (to implement),’ Gogot said. The screen zone regulation can be implemented by designating device-free areas in school premises such as libraries and canteens. The screen break regulation is implemented to train children to pause device use so they can focus on learning at school. During breaks, children can also be asked to perform light physical activities such as stretching the hands, neck, and shoulders. Gogot also noted the need for 3S regulation for children at home as well. ‘So, it should not happen that we set rules at school via screen time, screen zone, and screen break, but at home it is relaxed. This will become a conflict for children because they will find excuses,’ Gogot said.