Ministry urges parents to limit children's gadget use with 3S rule

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is urging parents to enforce the rule of 3S—screen time, screen zones, and screen breaks—to back a ministerial circular restricting student gadget use in schools.

The 3S principles are ruled to limit gadget use at home based on the children's age, developmental stage, and specific needs.

The Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti said here in Jakarta on Wednesday that the policy is highly relevant given high internet usage in Indonesia, with data showing that Indonesians spend an average of seven hours and 32 minutes online every day.

"If they do not use technology for positive things, there will be many issues affecting both their mental and physical health. Therefore, we strongly encourage cooperation between schools, families, communities, and digital service providers," Mu'ti explained.

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In order to achieve this, the Ministry is also calling on parents and guardians to support the gadget restriction policy in schools and to foster wise, safe, and responsible gadget use within the family.

The Ministry also urges parents to collaborate with schools in guiding students and to utilise the digital literacy guide for parents.

The guide is available in the Ruang Orang Tua (Parents' Room) section of the ministry's Rumah Pendidikan (Education House) platform, which can be accessed at s.id/bukuliterasidigital-orangtua.

Through collaboration among schools, families, communities, and various stakeholders, the Ministry hopes the gadget restriction policy will foster a healthier digital culture while creating a safe, comfortable learning environment that supports optimal student growth and development.

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Translator: Hana Dewi, Raka Adji

Editor: Fransiska Ninditya

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