With the widespread prevalence of social media, children's addiction to these platforms has become an increasing phenomenon, raising concerns among parents and educators. In this context, psychologist Eka Reni Yutisia offered valuable advice to parents on how to deal with their children suffering from this issue during her talk in Jambi, Indonesia.
Yutisia explained that continuous exposure to digital content makes a child's brain accustomed to the rapid spikes in happiness hormones produced by stimulating activities like social media, leading to difficulties in emotional regulation when these activities are abruptly halted.
Event Details
Yutisia pointed out that children who are suddenly cut off from using digital devices often exhibit excessive emotional reactions, resembling symptoms of drug withdrawal, resulting in tantrums, crying, and difficulty in managing them by parents.
Therefore, the specialist recommended that parents must acknowledge their children's feelings without justifying their behavior, as parents should demonstrate empathy and understand their children's emotions, which helps gradually calm their emotional system. She also advised implementing gradual transition techniques by setting specific times for device usage.
Background & Context
Social media addiction is considered one of the modern challenges facing families worldwide, as studies have shown that children spend long hours daily using these platforms, negatively impacting their mental and emotional health. With the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, it has become essential for parents to adopt effective strategies to tackle this phenomenon.
In this context, issues related to children's mental health pose a significant challenge, as research indicates that excessive use of social media can lead to increased levels of anxiety and depression among children and adolescents.
Impact & Consequences
The repercussions of social media addiction extend beyond the family, affecting society as a whole. Children who struggle to manage their emotions may face challenges in social interactions and adapting to their surrounding environments. This phenomenon may also lead to the proliferation of negative behaviors such as cyberbullying.
Therefore, it is crucial for families and schools to work together to provide a healthy environment for children, where physical and interactive activities can contribute to enhancing mental health and reducing reliance on digital devices.
Regional Significance
The Middle East and North Africa region is among those that have witnessed a significant increase in social media usage, making it essential for parents to adopt similar strategies to those proposed by the Indonesian specialist. With the rising number of internet users in the region, there must be greater awareness regarding how to use these platforms healthily and safely.
Ultimately, it requires joint efforts from families and communities to guide children towards positive social media usage, contributing to building a generation capable of handling digital challenges healthily.