6 important digital habits that parents should teach, number 5 is most often overlooked

The Role of Parents in Guiding Children in the Digital Age

In the afternoon in a living room in Petarukan District, Pemalang. A seven-year-old boy sat cross-legged on the floor, his fingers swiftly sliding the tablet screen. Beside him, the mother observed with a mixture of admiration and anxiety. Amazed because his son was able to find his own educational video, he was worried because he didn’t know exactly what the child was watching every day.

This view has become commonplace in almost every Indonesian household. A survey by the Association of Indonesian Internet Service Providers (APJII) in 2025 shows that 78 percent of children aged 6-12 years already have access to digital devices. This figure rose sharply compared to the previous five years which only reached 45 percent.

In the midst of this fact, the role of parents as digital navigators of children is becoming increasingly crucial. Prohibiting children from using technology is not a solution at all, because their world is already connected digitally. What is needed is to equip children with healthy digital habits from an early age.

Limit screen time with a clear schedule

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a maximum screen time of one hour per day for children aged 2-5 years, and two hours for children aged 6-12 years. This recommendation is not without reason. Excessive screen exposure is associated with sleep disturbances, decreased concentration ability, and vision problems.

Parents need to make a schedule for the use of devices that are agreed upon with the child. For example, gadgets should only be used after school assignments are completed and should not be taken to the bedroom. Consistency in applying this rule is more important than inconsistent assertiveness.

Involve children in scheduling. When a child feels they have rules made together, obedience will be higher. This collaborative approach also teaches children about responsibility and decision making.

Teach Digital Ethics Before Digital Literacy

Many parents are in a hurry to teach children how to use technology, but forget to instill digital ethics. In fact, digital ethics is as important as technical capabilities. Children need to understand that behind every social media account there is a human with feelings.

Teach children not to spread information that has not been verified. Explain that words in the digital world have the same impact as words in the real world. Cyberbullying, even though it happened on the screen, the wound was still real.

Also discuss privacy. Children must understand that the photo, full name, and location of the house should not be shared carelessly on the internet. This habit of maintaining privacy will protect them as teenagers and adults later.

Accompany children while browsing the internet

The internet is a giant library that contains everything, including content that is not suitable for children. Filters and parental controls do help, but they are not fully reliable. Parental assistance remains the best layer of protection.

Set aside time to surf the internet with children. Ask what they are looking for, what they are watching, and what they think about the content they see. This dialogue builds the habit of critical thinking and makes children comfortable sharing their digital experiences.

When a child finds content that is confusing or inappropriate, don’t panic. Use that moment as a learning opportunity. Explain why the content is not appropriate and invite the child to report or ignore it.

Teach children to distinguish valid and hoax information

The ability to sort out information is the most needed 21st century skill. Children who grow up in the era of information flood must be equipped with the ability to think critically from an early age. Without this ability, they will be easily consumed by digital misinformation and manipulation.

Start with a simple example. When the child shows viral news or claims, teach basic verification steps. Who is the author? Where did it come from? Are there other sources confirming? These simple questions can be a natural filter for children.

This habit will form a more open mindset and skeptical of unproven claims. Children who are used to checking facts will grow up to be responsible digital citizens and not easily pitted against provocative content.

Don’t make gadgets a gift or punishment

This is the habit that is most often overlooked. When parents make gadgets as a gift for good behavior or punishment is withdrawn when a child is naughty, the child will build an unhealthy emotional connection with technology. Gadgets become obsessions, not tools.

A healthier approach is to treat gadgets as part of a daily routine, just like eating or bathing. There are times, there are rules, and there are consequences if violated. This approach eliminates excessive emotional burden on digital devices.

Parents also need to be role models. If parents constantly stare at the phone in front of the child, the message about the use of a healthy gadget will never arrive. Children learn more than what they see, not what they hear.

Create a Gadget Free Zone at Home

Determine certain areas of the house that are completely free from digital devices. The dining room and bedroom are two of the most ideal places to apply as a gadget-free zone. Dinner without a cell phone allows meaningful family conversations.

Gadget-free bedrooms help children get quality sleep. The blue light from the phone screen is proven to interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep cycle. Children who sleep with cell phones under the pillow tend to experience sleep disturbances and fatigue during the day.

This habit, although it seems simple, has a significant long-term impact on the physical and mental health of children. The gadget-free zone provides space for children to play, interact with family members, and develop creativity without digital distraction.

Educating children in the digital era is full of challenges, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. With the right approach, parents can guide children to use technology wisely. A generation that is digitally literate and at the same time has ethics will be the nation’s best asset in the future.