The closure of schools due to the pandemic has created a new need for children's online learning resources. The demand for information technology facilities to support their learning needs includes:

1. Technology devices (smartphones, personal computers, tablets, etc.)
2. Internet connection
3. Learning apps (Google Classroom, Zoom, WhatsApp, etc.)
4. Other online learning applications

With the shift in the paradigm of learning in this pandemic era, parents are confronted with the concept of digital parenting. What it means and how to raise children in an era that demands their full involvement in the digital world, which undoubtedly comes with many risks.

Digital parenting is the process of raising children with the aim of teaching them to be responsible for their use of information and communication technology. Its goal is to help parents:

1. Become role models for technology use that children can emulate.
2. Teach ethics and rules for managing digital technology (information and communication).
3. Supervise and accompany children in using their time to explore the digital internet world.

Challenges often faced by parents regarding digital parenting include:

1. Lack of parental knowledge about the latest technology.
2. Discrepancy in digital technology proficiency between parents and children.
3. Children excessively exposed to digital devices.
4. Social impairment, the failure to establish healthy social interactions with the surrounding environment.
5. Physical and psychological health issues in children due to technological leaps.

The excessive use of gadgets often leads to the following consequences in children:

1. Aggressive behavior; children become aggressive when restricted from using or limited in their screen time.
2. Obesity; gaming or tinkering with gadgets makes children hungry, leading to excessive eating without moving from their screen, eventually resulting in weight gain.
3. Sleep disorders; children’s age and mental readiness should be the primary considerations before granting them freedom to use gadgets. Sleep disorders can occur due to uncontrolled gadget use.
4. Back Pain; maintaining the same body position continuously while using gadgets can trigger back pain.
5. Tennis Elbow; holding and operating gadgets all day without control can cause elbow pain. In medical terms, it's called tennis elbow, arising due to poor blood circulation.
6. Hearing problems; continuously using earphones while using gadgets is believed to trigger hearing problems.
7. Stress; children continuously exposed to gadgets tend to be preoccupied with these activities. They feel disturbed if separated from their gadgets, leading to stress.
8. Disregard for their surroundings; the most significant effect of uncontrolled gadget use is the behavior of indifference to their surroundings due to excessive engagement with their screens.

Parents can take several measures to anticipate these risks:

1. Willingness of parents to listen. Establish quality dialogues with children, maintain open communication, direct but listen to them.
2. Supervise and accompany children through parental control functions. Children's experiences exploring the online world can be managed by parents. Operating systems, search engines, cellphone providers, and game platforms usually offer "parental control" services.
3. Establish basic rules and teach children to be responsible for their choices. For example, no gadgets during dinner time, keep gadgets away after 9 PM. If rules are violated, communicate empathetically with children, raise their awareness through insightful discussions.
4. Befriend and be a follower on the child's social media, but don't spy. When a 13-year-old teenager has a social media account, make sure parents are their best friends. Follow their social media but do not stalk them. Let them explore, take healthy risks, build resilience, and foster conversations through discussions rather than spying, to build trust with the child.
5. Explore the internet together with the child. Play games, watch videos, share photos, and engage in other online activities with the child. Share favorite websites and download apps they like. Observe and see the world from their perspective.
6. Be a good digital usage role model. Children pay more attention to what parents do than what they say, whether it's online or offline activities. Resist the urge to answer emails during dinner or reply to messages while driving. Be mindful of your own digital behavior and set a good example for your child.

Author: Miranty Novia Wardhani, S.Psi.

References:

1. Tim Dosen Fakultas Psikologi Unika Atmajaya., 2021.Internet, Gawai, dan Remaja. Jakarta: PT.Kompas Media Nusantara.
2. Dr. Agus Abdul Rahman, M.Psi.,2016. Psikologi Perkembangan Anak dan Remaja. Bandung: CV. Pustaka Setia
3. United Nations., 2020, Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on Children, United States of America.
4. S.K. Saxena & R. Saxena., 2019. Preparing Children For Pandemics, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.