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Friday, 20 December 2024 00:00
Minister of Communications: Mothers Play a Key Role in Regulating Children's Internet Usage
Written by Daniel
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VOInews, Jakarta: Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs (Menkomdigi) Meutya Hafid emphasized that mothers play a crucial role in regulating children’s internet usage. During a dialogue session marking Mother’s Day titled "#Herstory: Women and Mothers in the Digital Era Towards a Global Jakarta" at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, Meutya highlighted the importance of mothers’ contributions in guiding children to use digital technology wisely.
“The rapid advancement of technology requires wise and prudent leadership, and mothers are the primary leaders within the home,” Meutya stated. She underscored that mothers hold a strategic role in teaching children how to use the internet in a balanced manner, preventing technology from becoming either a harmful influence on their growth or a threat.
Meutya noted that if internet use is not properly monitored, technology—initially intended to be a helpful tool—could instead become a source of harm. Therefore, mothers must enforce restrictions on internet access, including regulating screen time and ensuring a balance between digital activities and other pursuits such as reading books or outdoor play.
She also pointed out that several countries have already implemented such restrictions to protect children from the negative impacts of the internet. In Indonesia, the government is currently working to develop effective regulations to manage internet access for children. However, while these regulatory frameworks are still being refined, mothers are urged to play an active role in regulating internet usage within their own households.
Citing President Prabowo Subianto’s message during the APEC forum, Meutya stressed the need for wise and adaptive leadership in the face of rapid technological progress. According to Meutya, digital literacy and responsible technology use are not only essential for national leaders and society but also for household leaders—particularly mothers.
Further, Meutya argued that mothers bear a significant responsibility in ensuring that their children remain connected to the digital world in a safe and healthy manner. This approach aligns with the government’s efforts to position Jakarta as a global city that leverages technology for progress while safeguarding local values and family principles.
By emphasizing mothers’ roles in guiding children’s internet use, Meutya hopes to foster a generation that grows with a more informed understanding of technology, while simultaneously avoiding the risks posed by the internet. This approach aims to strengthen the family’s role in nurturing a balanced, adaptive, and digitally literate generation in the digital age.
Source: Antara
Published in
Indonesia Today
