Hadi Wijaya
The rapid integration of digital technology into the daily lives of families has prompted experts to call for more robust communication strategies between parents and children to prevent the onset of gadget and gaming addiction. Novi Poespita Candra, a prominent psychologist from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), emphasizes that the key to mitigating the risks associated with excessive screen time lies in the quality of domestic dialogue. According to Candra, parents must move beyond mere supervision and engage in intense, empathetic discussions with their children regarding their digital habits. This approach is designed to foster self-awareness and internal management skills in children, rather than relying solely on external restrictions which often lead to friction and secretive behavior.
In a public statement released on Saturday, February 11, 2023, Candra highlighted that the modern digital landscape has made gadgets and games inseparable from the social fabric of the younger generation. However, the ubiquity of these tools necessitates a structured framework for usage. Candra suggests that parents should initiate deep conversations by asking children what they specifically gain from their gaming experiences and whether they perceive any changes in their physical health or daily routines. By encouraging children to reflect on the positive and negative influences of their digital consumption, parents can help them develop a critical perspective on their own behavior.
The Psychological Mechanisms of Digital Engagement
At the heart of the gaming addiction phenomenon is a complex biological process involving the brain’s reward system. Candra explains that video games are expertly designed to trigger the release of "happiness hormones," including dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. Dopamine, in particular, plays a critical role in the reinforcement of behavior, creating a "pleasure loop" that encourages players to return to the game repeatedly to achieve the same high. When a child achieves a goal in a game, such as leveling up or defeating an opponent, the brain receives a surge of these neurochemicals, fostering a sense of accomplishment and euphoria.
This hormonal response is a double-edged sword. While it provides temporary joy and stress relief, it can also lead to a physiological dependency. Over time, the brain may become desensitized to normal levels of these hormones, requiring more intensive gaming sessions to achieve the same level of satisfaction. This cycle is what eventually leads to addiction, where the child prioritizes the digital environment over essential real-world activities. Candra notes that if this trend is not identified and managed early through parental intervention, it can manifest in severe mental health challenges, including chronic fatigue, apathy, and a significant decline in motivation for academic or social pursuits.
Global and Local Context: The Rise of Gaming Disorder
The concerns raised by the UGM psychologist align with global health trends. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized "Gaming Disorder" in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). The WHO defines this disorder as a pattern of gaming behavior characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.
In the Indonesian context, the issue is particularly pressing. Data from the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) indicates a steady increase in internet penetration among minors, with many children spending upwards of five to seven hours a day online. The shift toward digital learning during the COVID-19 pandemic further blurred the lines between educational tool usage and recreational screen time. As a result, the "always-on" culture has become a standard for many households, making the psychological boundaries suggested by Candra more difficult to implement but more necessary than ever.
Physical and Mental Health Implications
The consequences of unmanaged gadget use extend far beyond psychological dependency; they encompass a wide range of physical ailments that can hinder a child’s development. Candra points out that children who are addicted to games often suffer from a sedentary lifestyle, which is a leading contributor to childhood obesity and related metabolic issues. Furthermore, the physical strain of maintaining a static posture for hours can lead to musculoskeletal problems, such as joint pain and "text neck" syndrome.
Ocular health is another significant concern. Prolonged exposure to high-energy visible (HEV) blue light from screens can cause digital eye strain, characterized by dryness, irritation, and blurred vision. In more severe cases, excessive near-work on gadgets is linked to the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in school-aged children. When combined with the mental health risks—such as social anxiety, irritability when not playing, and a diminished ability to process real-life social cues—the total impact of gadget addiction represents a holistic threat to the well-being of the next generation.
Implementing the "Intense Dialogue" Framework
To combat these risks, Candra advocates for a collaborative rather than a confrontational approach. The "intense dialogue" framework involves several key components:
- Reflective Inquiry: Instead of ordering a child to stop playing, parents should ask questions like, "How do you feel after playing for three hours compared to when you play for one hour?" or "What do you enjoy most about this game, and how does it make your body feel?"
- Collaborative Goal Setting: Parents and children should work together to define "healthy" limits. This includes establishing specific durations for gaming, selecting age-appropriate content, and identifying "tech-free zones" or times within the home, such as during meals or before bedtime.
- Responsibility Training: Candra emphasizes the importance of training children to be responsible for their daily obligations. By ensuring that chores, homework, and physical exercise are completed before gaming begins, children learn to view gaming as a reward for productivity rather than a primary activity.
- Alternative Sources of Fulfillment: It is vital for parents to help children find other ways to stimulate the production of happiness hormones. Physical sports, creative hobbies like painting or music, and face-to-face social interactions can provide the same dopamine and serotonin boosts as gaming, but in a more sustainable and healthy manner.
The Role of Awareness and Self-Management
The ultimate goal of these parental interventions is to cultivate self-management. Candra argues that external controls, such as parental control apps or confiscating devices, are often temporary fixes. For long-term success, the child must internalize the value of balance. When a child understands why they are being asked to limit their screen time—because they value their eyesight, their sleep, and their friendships—they are more likely to adhere to the agreed-upon rules even when not under direct supervision.
This sense of agency is crucial for the child’s development into a functional adult. In an increasingly digital economy, the ability to regulate one’s interaction with technology is a vital life skill. By fostering this awareness early, parents are not just preventing addiction; they are equipping their children with the cognitive tools necessary to navigate a world where digital distractions are omnipresent.
Broader Societal and Policy Implications
The insights provided by Novi Poespita Candra also suggest a need for broader societal shifts. Educational institutions play a pivotal role in reinforcing the messages delivered at home. Schools can integrate digital literacy and wellness into their curricula, teaching students about the neuroscience of addiction and the importance of "digital hygiene."
Furthermore, there is a growing call for the gaming industry to take more responsibility for the addictive nature of their products. Features such as "loot boxes," "infinite scrolls," and "daily login rewards" are specifically engineered to keep users engaged for as long as possible. Public health advocates suggest that if the burden of managing addiction continues to fall solely on parents, the crisis will only deepen. A multi-sectoral approach involving psychologists, educators, policymakers, and tech developers is required to create a safer digital environment for children.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The advice from the UGM psychologist serves as a timely reminder that technology, while beneficial, requires a human-centric approach to management. The "happiness hormones" that make gaming so attractive can be harnessed for positive development if balanced with real-world experiences. The transition from a state of potential addiction to one of digital equilibrium is a journey that requires patience, consistency, and, most importantly, open lines of communication within the family unit.
As society continues to evolve alongside technology, the definition of a healthy childhood will increasingly involve the mastery of digital balance. Through the dialogues and agreements proposed by Candra, parents can transform gadgets from a source of conflict into a tool for teaching discipline, responsibility, and self-awareness. The focus remains on building a foundation where the child is in control of the technology, rather than the technology being in control of the child. This proactive psychological approach offers a roadmap for families to thrive in the digital age, ensuring that the next generation remains physically healthy, mentally resilient, and socially connected.
