DDHK. ORG – It's not uncommon to see children, babies and toddlers not separated from devices or gadgets. Based on Huawei smartphone brand research data in 2022, around 87% parent in Indonesia have given electronic devices to children since childhood.
Most of the children have been using this gadget since they were 5 to 8 years old. This fact was stated by Patrick Ru, Country Head of Huawei Device Indonesia when holding the Zoom press conference HUAWEI MatePad SE Kids Edition, 17 February.
Quoted from the page Parenting, it is undeniable, nowadays gadgets are seen as tools for learning, in addition to other features that children enjoy as entertainment. As parents of alpha generation children, we cannot escape the use of gadgets for our children.
"We can see that today's technology and gadgets also need to be seen as tools that help the development of children, although they still have to be full of consideration," said Saskhya Aulia Prima, M.Psi, Child Psychologist.
Saskhya explained again, giving gadgets to children has many advantages but needs to be done properly.
One of the things that stands out among today's alpha children is that they easily absorb new information and skills from anywhere, including gadgets. Children can develop English vocabulary by interacting or doing activities using devices.
After the child gets a lesson in class or school, the child can use the device to repeat the lesson. "The use of gadgets can be an effective learning tool because when a child searches for information in a gadget, it also involves the child's sensory and motor skills so that he is more motivated to learn," said the psychologist who is also the co-founder of Three Generations.
When applying screen time rules and using gadgets to children, parents are also role models for children. For example, not using a device while eating, not taking the device to the bathroom, and so on. It is important to enforce the rules and good habits of working on children.
Today's children are progressing very fast, especially in the field of technology. As parents we also have to update. What is currently developing among children, what is the interaction like, what is the mechanism, and so on.
"Besides that, we also have to understand that a child's concentration ability increases slowly and must be trained. Parents must know when children can be given gadgets and for how long," said the clinical psychologist who graduated from the University of Indonesia.
Prepare the child's heart, especially with regard to the timing of using the device. Enforcing screen time rules is important, but it's also necessary to use tricks to keep kids from 'exploding'.
“For example, before playing time is up or less than five or ten minutes, you can remind me first. Or if necessary, prepare other activities that can be continued after the screen time is up, so that the child doesn't suddenly stop and throw a tantrum," suggested the psychologist who is now also very active as a content creator.
In older children, screen time cannot be averaged between study screen time and entertainment screen time. If the child uses the device more for learning activities, allocate separate time to get entertainment from the device. But of course with consideration of the child's health as well.
Besides that, when children are active on gadgets, parents shouldn't be ignored either. Take advantage of the opportunities that exist to maintain bonding, such as playing together on a device and so on.
The last thing that is no less important, according to Saskhya, the children of this alpha generation need to be given experience to understand how to survive without having to return to the device.
“Give them experience that they don't have to return to their devices. For example, invite children to do activities outside without gadgets, or give them fun games after the screen time runs out, such as drawing or something else," Saskhya advised Indonesian parents. [DDHK News]
