JAKARTA – Screen exposure or screen time in children is now increasingly difficult to avoid, especially in the digital era when television, mobile phones, and tablets become part of daily activities.
Although it can be a means of entertainment and learning, uncontrolled use risks affecting the development of the child’s brain and interaction skills, so the role of parents in accompanying is very important.
Doctor of child specialists, subspecialist of pediatric neurology, graduate of the University of Indonesia, R R Amanda Soebadi, explained that screen time is not limited to mobile phone use.
“Screen time doesn’t have to be a phone, it’s the same as a tablet, the television is also screen time,” he said, as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, April 30.
He suggested that new children be introduced to television after they are over two years old, with a maximum duration of about one hour per day. If the child is exposed to the screen at an earlier age, then accompaniment from parents or caregivers is a must.
According to Amanda, while the child is watching, parents should actively interact, for example by inviting the child to discuss the show they are watching. This is important so that the child does not just become a passive spectator.
He also emphasized the importance of determining the purpose before the child watches, including limiting the duration of the broadcast.
“For example, one episode of a cartoon is 30 minutes, after it’s over, turn off the television. Instead of being finished, ask what to watch now on YouTube,” he explained.
In addition, the habit of scrolling through the display quickly or switching content is also not recommended, because the child’s brain is still in the development stage.
Amanda reminded that when screen time is stopped, parents need to prepare quality replacement activities, such as playing together, putting together puzzles, or inviting children to talk while eating.
“So it can’t be, the gadget is just taken, then it’s up to the child what to do. The ideal substitute activity is that if the child can play interactively with the caregiver,” he said.
He also highlighted the habit of some people who let the television on all day. According to him, this condition can make children accustomed to not responding when they are invited to interact.
“Because the child is used to hearing people talk, so I don’t have to respond because no one is disappointed if I don’t respond to the television,” he added.
Through proper guidance, screen time can still be used wisely without disturbing the child’s growth and development.
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