Gadget-Centric Parenting Style of Indonesian Parents

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A researcher from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) claim that Indonesian parents often prefer the use of digital media in parenting their child. This was expressed by LIPI’s socio-cultural researcher Aulia Hadi.

“The tendency for parents to entertain their child via electronic gadgets is to calm them,” said the LIPI researcher.

This habit caused 20 percent of Indonesian children exposed to the internet and digital media as early as their toddler age. Moreover, parents tend to think that their child will be more knowledgeable with digital media compared to themselves.

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This assumption further boosted their willingness to give children access to electronic gadgets.

Aulia maintained that there are no certain rules on when children should be introduced to technology, but reminds parents to limit a child’s use of gadgets and constantly monitor their child’s activities.

The early uncontrolled use of gadgets among children can eventually cause them to be addicted and hamper their communication abilities and create potential problems with their eyesight as a result of prolonged exposure to LCD screens.

“We cannot entirely prohibit the use of gadgets and see negatively toward digital media, however, most importantly is to constantly monitor your child,” said Aulia.

ANTARA