JAKARTA, KOMPAS – As gadgets become an inseparable part of children’s daily lives, children must be taught how to use gadgets to create positive digital content. Digital literacy education must consist not only of when to use gadgets properly, but also what societal values and norms children can adhere to on social media.
Internet access is a citizen’s basic right that the government must fulfill. The government is currently developing the Palapa Ring, a nationwide broadband network. Once it is completed in 2019, all cities and regencies across the archipelago will enjoy internet access. This inevitable, nationwide internet access means digital literacy is a must among all Indonesians, especially youths.
“Internet access should boost local youths’ drive to increase the amount of positive online content. This is to empower youths to not only be consumers but also producers [of digital content],” Communications and Informatics Ministry Rudiantara said on Thursday (26/7/2018), during the National Children’s Day event themed “My Good Internet, My Healthy Internet” in Jakarta. Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Susana Yembise also attended the event.
Once nationwide internet access was made available, Rudiantara said that he hoped all schools would enjoy wireless internet access to help with learning. Students must really reap the benefits of such a facility, including through accessing positive content.
Rudiantara reminded all students from middle schools, high schools and vocational schools who attended the event to always be careful and cautious in uploading content online. “Everything uploaded to the Internet will be there for eternity. In the future, when you are looking for work, your potential employers can look at your digital record and find everything you have uploaded online. This is why you should only upload positive content,” he said.
At the event, popular content producer and Instagram celebrity Abi Takbir taught students how to create positive, attractive and educational content.
“You just need a smartphone. You don’t need an expensive one. What is important is that you understand how to create good content. The point is to not insult others,” he said.
Abi said that the kind of content students could upload online included photos and videos of good travel spots, ways of cooking creative meals, jokes and arts performances. Abi reminded the students not to share personal information online, including home addresses, or sensitive photos and videos.
Information technology expert Donny B Utoyo of internet safety watchdog ICT Watch said that people could find learning modules through many online IT organizations at literasidigital.id. Twenty-five modules are currently available.
Balance
Minister Yohana said at the event that parents and teachers should help students set aside time for gadget use. Balance between gadget time, quality family time and physical playtime was key.
“The rule is that children can only have their own gadgets at 14 and that they must use them with parental supervision. Children under 14 can only use their parents’ gadgets under strict parental guidance,” she said.
Yohana urged parents, teachers and children not to become dependent on gadgets to find information and do homework. Instead, use school libraries and other adults as sources of information to improve children’s interest in reading and interaction skills.
“Children merely copy what we adults do. Their dependence on gadgets may reflect excessive gadget use by their mothers and fathers. Parents should strive for gadget-free quality family time,” she said.
(DNE)
