PROTECTING THE CHILDREN
Based in Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, Diena Haryana founded Semai Jiwa Amini foundation — also known as SEJIWA, a nonprofit that works on online child safety and protection.
According to Haryana, studies have shown that children’s use of social media can impact their mental health and trigger anxiety and depression.
But, she says, digital platforms also offer advantages and open up a whole realm of learning. Her foundation has tried to get parents and communities to work together on providing guidance and supervision for children in the online world.
“We also need to remember that they need to learn to use this digital technology at the right time, at the right age, and with the right guidance as well,” she said.
Haryana said the effects of restricting access to social media and digital platforms to children under 16 will only be seen once the measure is in place — she predicted both complaints from children and confusion among parents.
Parents and schools are expected to provide children with solutions on how to learn in the real world — not the digital one, she said.
“Of course, this takes time to get used to, which is why parents and schools need to encourage children to engage with the real world and make it fun for them,” Haryana added. “And there’s plenty in the real world for children to explore.”
