Mirella Pandjaitan
Nov 14, 2025
Gadgets have become an inseparable part of modern life, including modern childhood. Back in the 2000s, the World Wide Web had just gained popularity. If you’re one of the many who experienced sharing a computer in your house amongst your siblings and parents, you might have grown concerns over gadget use in today’s world.
Walk around any shopping mall, dine at any restaurant or cafe, glance at your seat neighbour inside a plane; you’ll have to admit that it’s not just adults glued to their smartphones, laptops, and tablets anymore, even preschoolers are growing up surrounded by screens!
Screens are inevitable — just look at yourself reading this! But it can get tricky with children involved. Indeed, gadgets can be a source of learning and creativity when used wisely. No limits or supervision over children’s usage, however, can woefully alter their social and emotional development. Let’s not dismiss the distractions and dependency either.
It is therefore your job as a parent, or soon-to-be parent, to hold the key in guiding your children through this digital landscape towards enrichment, not replacing real human connection. After all, the goal isn’t to eliminate screens — but to raise children who can thrive both online and off.
Screen addiction
According to a study cited by IPB University, Bogor, the use of gadgets among preschoolers has risen steadily alongside technological advancements. Children use digital devices for a myriad of activities, including watching videos, playing games, and exploring educational apps.
Moreover, another recent study has found a concerning link between excessive screen time and suicidal thoughts among teenagers. Published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, the research revealed that among adolescent girls, spending long hours watching television, playing video games, or scrolling through social media was associated with a gradual increase in suicidal ideation in the following years.
A 14-year-old in Pasirwangi District, Garut Regency, West Java, was found dead by her family earlier in January 2025. The child died as a result of a rope wrapped around the wooden beams of the kitchen roof, which she used to hang herself, after speculation that her mother had snatched her phone away as a means to stop her from playing online games until the wee hours. The child was forced to drop out of school due to financial constraints. Instead, she was asked to look after her two younger siblings while her parents worked as farm labourers.
For boys, frequent video game use — especially when accompanied by experiences of cyberbullying — was also linked to suicidal thoughts later in young adulthood.
Meanwhile, teens deeply engaged with platforms like Instagram or TikTok may experience heightened feelings of jealousy, anxiety, and fear of being left out — emotions that can be particularly destabilising during adolescence.
Technology continues to evolve rapidly. However, excessive and unsupervised use can do more harm than good.
Potential effects of excessive gadget use include:
- Distractions that disrupt focus and learning.
- Eye strain and worsening nearsightedness from regularly using devices at maximum brightness, whether on phones, computers, or tablets.
- Heightened selfish behaviours and difficulty regulating impulses.
- Increased exposure to radiation may elevate the risk of certain health issues.
- Lowered student concentration during lessons delivered via digital platforms.
- May even correlate with slightly shorter lifespans.
- More frequent conflicts and less motivation to resolve problems constructively.
- Prolonged use—more than 30 minutes—of cell phones could contribute to hearing problems, such as acoustic neuroma.
- Reduced self-control, as much social interaction occurs indirectly through screens rather than face-to-face.
- Suppression of imagination, as highly stimulating visuals can overshadow creative thought.
Yet, when balanced thoughtfully with real-world interaction, technology can enhance development rather than hinder it. Properly managed gadget use can:
- Enable more practical and efficient communication
- Foster creativity and inventive thinking.
- Offer seamless access to knowledge and experiences beyond their immediate surroundings.
- Support intellectual growth through educational features and programs.
The key lies in moderation: guiding children to navigate digital tools without losing touch with the world around them ensures that technology becomes a complement to—not a replacement for—their growth and curiosity. When parents take time to discuss what their children watch or play, and involve them in family activities, it fosters connection and awareness. This kind of guidance doesn’t merely limit screen time but shapes character and emotional intelligence.
This results in the prominence of a mother and child bond, along with parental control over gadget use, in minimising screen addiction. Children normally display behaviours such as irritability when screen time is restricted, reluctance to engage in other activities, and difficulty detaching from their gadgets. IPB University added that “the stronger the emotional bond, the lower the likelihood of a child developing dependency.”
Parents play a key role in the digital era
Without their parents’ guidance, children will be incompetent to navigate the digital world. Studies show that an acceptance-based parenting style — one that emphasises warmth, empathy, and emotional support — can effectively reduce the risk of gadget and social media addiction, especially in adolescents.
A similar approach can be applied to preschoolers. Parents can balance technology use by engaging in direct, meaningful interactions with their children through two-way activities such as reading, playing together, or spending time outdoors.
It’s equally imperative for parents to explain why these rules exist. When children understand the reasons behind screen-time boundaries, they’re more likely to respect and follow them.
Practical tips for parents
Drawing from multiple studies, here are several practical steps parents can take to promote balanced screen use:
1. Choose age-appropriate content, the type that is suitable for their developmental stage. You can also use parental control features to help filter and monitor usage.
2. Encourage non-digital play by involving your child in activities that promote real-world interaction, such as outdoor play, creative crafts, or reading together.
3. Foster quality family interactions by dedicating device-free moments to connect, as this can strengthen emotional bonds and communication skills.
4. Set clear limits on screen time of no more than one hour of screen use per day for preschool-aged children. Establish consistent routines that fit your family’s lifestyle.
5. Be a mindful role model since children naturally imitate their parents. For example, keeping your phone aside during family time.