Hadi Wijaya
Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) psychologist Novi Poespita Candra has issued a formal recommendation for parents to prioritize intensive, open communication with their children as a primary defense against the growing prevalence of gadget and gaming addiction. Speaking on Saturday, February 11, 2023, Candra emphasized that the rapid integration of digital technology into the daily lives of minors requires a proactive rather than a reactive approach from guardians. According to Candra, the key to mitigating the risks associated with excessive screen time lies not in total prohibition, but in fostering a deep, analytical dialogue between parents and children regarding their digital habits.
The psychologist stressed that parents must move beyond simple oversight and engage in what she terms "intensive dialogue." This involves asking children critical questions about their gaming experiences, such as what they feel they gain from playing, and helping them identify both the positive and negative impacts these activities have on their physical health and general well-being. By initiating these conversations, parents can help children develop a sense of self-awareness that is often lost in the immersive world of digital entertainment.
The Psychological Mechanism of Digital Addiction
At the heart of the gaming addiction phenomenon is a complex biological process involving the brain’s reward system. Candra explained that video games are expertly designed to trigger the release of a cocktail of "happiness hormones," including dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. These neurotransmitters play a vital role in human biology, but their artificial stimulation through repetitive gaming can create a feedback loop that is difficult to break.
Dopamine, often associated with the "reward" feeling, is released when a player achieves a goal or levels up in a game. Serotonin contributes to a sense of well-being, while endorphins can mask physical fatigue or emotional pain. Oxytocin, often called the "bonding hormone," is frequently triggered in multiplayer environments where players cooperate with others online. Candra noted that because these hormones produce intense feelings of pleasure and satisfaction, the human body naturally begins to crave the activity that produces them, leading to a compulsive need to play for increasingly longer periods.
When a child spends an excessive amount of time immersed in these digital environments, the risk of clinical addiction rises significantly. This biological "hook" is what makes gaming addiction particularly challenging to manage without a structured intervention strategy that focuses on self-regulation and the diversification of happiness sources.
Data and Global Context: The Rise of Gaming Disorder
The concerns raised by the UGM psychologist mirror a global trend recognized by international health authorities. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially included "Gaming Disorder" in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). The WHO defines the disorder as a pattern of gaming behavior characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other interests and daily activities, and the continuation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.
In Indonesia, the digital landscape has shifted dramatically over the last decade. Data from the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) indicates that internet penetration in the country reached over 78% in early 2023, with the demographic of 13-to-18-year-olds showing some of the highest levels of daily connectivity. While this connectivity offers educational advantages, it also exposes a vulnerable population to the predatory design of modern "freemium" games, which use psychological triggers to encourage long-term engagement and micro-transactions.
The chronology of this issue in Indonesia can be traced back to the COVID-19 pandemic, which served as a massive catalyst for gadget dependency. Between 2020 and 2022, the transition to remote learning necessitated that almost every school-aged child have access to a personal device. With extracurricular activities canceled and social gatherings restricted, gaming became the primary social outlet for millions of children. Experts note that while the pandemic has ended, the behavioral patterns established during those years have persisted, leading to a "new normal" of high-intensity screen usage that psychologists like Candra are now working to address.
Physical and Mental Health Implications
The consequences of failing to address gaming addiction are multifaceted, affecting both the mind and the body. Candra highlighted several critical risks that can manifest if the addiction is not handled with seriousness. Mentally, addicted children often suffer from a significant decline in social skills. Because their primary interactions occur in a controlled, digital environment, they may find real-world social nuances—such as reading body language or managing face-to-face conflict—overwhelming.
Furthermore, the psychologist pointed to a rise in apathy and a lack of motivation for non-digital activities. When the brain is constantly flooded with high levels of dopamine from gaming, everyday tasks like schoolwork, reading, or physical chores can seem dull and unrewarding by comparison. This can lead to chronic fatigue, heightened stress levels, and even symptoms of depression when the child is separated from their device.
On the physical side, the sedentary nature of gaming poses a direct threat to the development of children in their growth phases. Candra identified "Computer Vision Syndrome" (eye strain), joint pain (particularly in the thumbs and wrists), and poor posture as common complaints. Long-term inactivity also increases the risk of childhood obesity and related metabolic issues, creating a public health concern that extends far beyond the individual family unit.
Strategies for Parental Intervention and Self-Management
To combat these risks, Candra suggests a shift in parental strategy from "policing" to "mentoring." The goal of the "intensive dialogue" is to create a mutual agreement or a "digital contract" between the parent and the child. These agreements should cover:
- Duration Limits: Establishing clear, non-negotiable time frames for gaming that do not interfere with sleep, study, or family time.
- Content Curation: Actively participating in the selection of games to ensure they are age-appropriate and offer some cognitive or social value.
- Responsibility Training: Requiring that all daily responsibilities—such as homework and household chores—be completed before any gaming begins.
- Diversification of Joy: Encouraging activities that trigger the same "happiness hormones" in a healthy way, such as organized sports for endorphins, family outings for oxytocin, and creative hobbies for dopamine and serotonin.
"The dialogues and agreements are what will create awareness and self-management in the proper use of gadgets," Candra stated. She emphasized that the ultimate objective is to empower the child to manage their own behavior, rather than relying solely on external pressure from parents.
Broader Impact and Educational Implications
The implications of Candra’s advice extend to the broader educational system in Indonesia. Educators have noted that children with gaming addictions often exhibit shorter attention spans and higher levels of irritability in the classroom. Some schools have begun implementing "digital literacy" programs that mirror Candra’s psychological approach, teaching students about the biological mechanisms of addiction and the importance of a balanced lifestyle.
Reactions from the academic community suggest a consensus that the responsibility cannot fall on parents alone. There are growing calls for the government to regulate the gaming industry more strictly, particularly regarding "loot boxes" and other gambling-like mechanics that are specifically designed to exploit the dopamine pathways Candra described. However, until such regulations are robustly implemented, the "home-front" defense of communication remains the most effective tool available.
Analysis of the Path Forward
The psychological perspective provided by Novi Poespita Candra offers a nuanced path forward in an era where technology is unavoidable. By framing the issue as one of "self-management" and "awareness" rather than "addiction and punishment," the approach preserves the parent-child relationship while addressing the biological reality of the problem.
The transition from a child being a passive consumer of digital dopamine to an active manager of their own time is a critical developmental milestone. If parents can successfully implement these strategies of dialogue and balance, they do more than just prevent addiction; they equip their children with the discipline and emotional intelligence required to navigate an increasingly digital world.
As Candra concluded, the hormones that make gaming so attractive are not inherently bad—they are a natural part of the human experience. The challenge for modern society is to ensure that these feelings are found in a variety of life’s pursuits, ensuring that the youth of today grow into well-rounded, socially capable, and physically healthy adults. The "happiness" found in a game should be a supplement to a rich life, not a replacement for it. The ongoing efforts of psychologists, parents, and educators will determine whether the current generation of "digital natives" can master their tools or whether they will remain mastered by them.
