Parents are family members and have an obligation to care for all aspects of their child’s growth and development and raise their children well and correctly. In this technological era, changes have occurred. These changes indirectly cause parents to have to implement proper and good education in raising their children. The development of technology and information in Indonesia is very dynamic.
Early childhood also feels the increasingly sophisticated pace of technological development. Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that almost half of early childhood in Indonesia can already use mobile phones (HP) or gadgets, and also access the internet in 2022. In total, there are 33.44% of early childhood in Indonesia who use mobile phones or wireless gadgets. Meanwhile, early childhood who can access the internet reaches 24.96%. From these facts, it is proven that the development of the digital era is so fast and early childhood is already using it.
The digital era is an era where the world has changed drastically, people can easily access information in various ways and have the freedom to use digital technology devices. In this increasingly digital era, of course, it has affected the psychological development of children, and the family has become the main basis for education. Both are negative consequences of the development of the digital era.
Parents should not strictly control the growth and development of children in the digital era. Because behind the development of the digital era, there are many positive things that can be achieved. Currently, the role of parents in raising children in the digital era is very important. Age Age is very necessary to choose positive and negative aspects in development.
he Impact of the Digital Era on Children
The Role of Parents in the Digitalization Era
Therefore, the development of technology today is the biggest obstacle for parents in educating their children, especially if you look at various current conditions, such as today’s teenagers who prefer to spend time on social media rather than gaining other knowledge. And the behavior patterns of today’s teenagers are increasingly westernized, even cultural traditions and things in the region are increasingly eroded, and their daily culture that does not pay attention to existing norms is increasingly following the West.
1. Set Limits on Gadget Use
Parents must understand what digitalization means and make peace with the existence of digital developments that cannot be completely rejected. There are 2 things that can be done, namely limiting use and balancing activities. Parents must be able to know when is the best time for children to use gadgets and what can be accessed. It is better to use gadgets together with parents. According to the American Prediatric for Children, a maximum of 2 hours a day for children to use gadgets. According to WHO (World Health Organization) children aged 0-2 years should not be given access to gadgets.
There should be more physical activity, communication and socializing directly. Ages 3-5 years old are allowed to access devices for 1 hour. Ages 6-11 years old are allowed to access for a maximum of 2 hours. Ages 13-17 years old are allowed to have digital devices, but it is adjusted to whether parents are able to be responsible for their own ownership.
2. Accompany your child when playing with gadgets
Parents can encourage children to learn from educational content.
3. Parents Become an Example to Calm Children
In general, children imitate what they see rather than what they hear. Therefore, parents must control themselves in using gadgets.
4. Do Not Use Technology to Calm Children
This instills something bad in children. Children will think that technology is a solution to boredom or annoyance. Children need to learn to handle their own emotions.