Digital Transformation and Indonesian Children
The development of digital technology over the past two decades has brought significant changes to societal life, including the lives of children and adolescents. Indonesia has experienced a rapid increase in internet penetration. Data from the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) in the 2024 Indonesia Internet Survey shows that national internet penetration has reached around 79.5% of the total population, with the 13–18 age group having the highest usage rate at more than 98%. Meanwhile, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) through the 2023 National Socioeconomic Survey (Susenas) shows that more than 65% of school-aged children use the internet via smartphones in their daily activities. These facts indicate that digital access has become part of children’s lives from an early age. Therefore, the government’s idea to promote policies limiting gadget use for children should be understood as a strategic step to ensure that digital transformation does not compromise the health and development of the younger generation.
The State’s Constitutional Duty to Protect Children
From a legal perspective, the state has a constitutional obligation to ensure the optimal growth and development of children. Law No. 35 of 2014 concerning Amendments to Law No. 23 of 2002 on Child Protection states that the state, government, and local governments are required to guarantee protection for children so they can live, grow, and develop optimally. Article 59 paragraph (1) specifically mandates the government to provide special protection for children from various threats that may disrupt their physical and mental development. In the context of the digital era, exposure to negative content, gaming disorder, and cyberbullying have become new threats to children’s psychological development. Data from the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) shows that reports of digital bullying cases continue to increase each year, especially among secondary school-age groups. Thus, policies limiting gadget use are not a restriction of freedom, but part of the state’s responsibility to ensure children’s right to grow in a healthy and safe environment.
International Warnings on the Impact of Gadgets
Various international institutions have also issued warnings regarding the impact of excessive gadget use on children. The World Health Organization (WHO), in its Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep for Children Under 5 Years (2019), recommends that children under five should not be exposed to digital screens for more than one hour per day, while infants under one year should not be exposed to screens at all. In addition, UNICEF’s report The State of the World’s Children: Children in a Digital World states that about one-third of internet users globally are children, making them a highly vulnerable group to harmful content exposure, digital exploitation, and technology addiction. Several developmental psychology studies also show that screen use exceeding three to four hours per day in school-aged children correlates with increased risks of attention disorders, sleep disturbances, and reduced social interaction skills.
Educational Dimension: Learning Focus and Healthy Ecosystem
From the perspective of the national education system, limiting gadget use can strengthen the quality of children’s learning processes. Law No. 20 of 2003 on the National Education System, particularly Article 3, states that the goal of national education is to develop learners who are faithful, noble, healthy, knowledgeable, capable, creative, and responsible. However, in practice, various educational studies show that uncontrolled gadget use often reduces students’ learning focus. OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey even shows that students who excessively use digital devices outside learning needs tend to have lower academic concentration levels. Therefore, regulating gadget usage time at home and in schools can contribute to creating a healthier and more balanced learning ecosystem.
Public Health Aspects and Screen Time Risks
Limiting gadget use also has significant public health implications. The Indonesian Ministry of Health, through various digital health campaigns, has emphasized the importance of managing screen time in children to prevent long-term health impacts. Several child health studies show that excessive screen time is associated with increased risks of childhood obesity, posture disorders, and eye health problems such as digital eye strain. Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) by the Ministry of Health also shows an increase in the prevalence of vision problems among school-aged children over the past decade, one of the contributing risk factors being excessive digital screen exposure. In this context, policies limiting gadget use can be seen as a preventive strategy to protect the physical health of the younger generation.
Proportional Regulation, Not Rejection of Technology
It is important to emphasize that policies limiting gadget use do not mean rejecting digital technological advancement. Law No. 27 of 2022 on Personal Data Protection and Law No. 11 of 2008 on Electronic Information and Transactions, along with its amendments, demonstrate that the state actually promotes the responsible and safe use of technology. Thus, policies limiting children’s gadget use should be understood as a proportional regulation of technology use, not a prohibition of technology itself. The state is not restricting access to digital knowledge but ensuring that children use technology in a healthy, safe, and productive manner.
Human Capital Investment Toward Indonesia Emas
Ultimately, from a public policy perspective, limiting gadget use among children is a long-term investment in Indonesia’s human capital development. The National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN) 2025–2045 places human quality development as one of the main pillars toward the Indonesia Emas 2045 vision. A generation that is mentally healthy, socially strong, and capable of using technology wisely is a key prerequisite for the success of this development agenda.
A Collective Strategy for a Superior Generation
Thus, policies limiting gadget use should not be seen merely as technical regulation in education or family life. It is part of a national strategy to safeguard the quality of future generations. If designed comprehensively—engaging families, schools, government, and the digital ecosystem—this policy has the potential to become a crucial foundation in shaping an Indonesian generation that is healthy, adaptive, and capable of excelling in the digital era.
