Advanced mobile phones have service features that allow downloading various games, and even playing online games. Online games, even though not in the immediate vicinity, can be played in the virtual world.
The Millennial generation is becoming more selfish, focused on their own world, and does not want to interact with friends. They are obsessed with gadgets and can get lost in playing them, losing track of time. Even when called, it is difficult to get their attention. Moreover, children become easily emotional when their parents call them, feeling disturbed because they are playing games, and finding it difficult to turn them off.
Children are already addicted to online games and it is very difficult to get them to stop. Even with various types of sanctions imposed by parents, they still cannot be separated from their gadgets. Children forget their school assignments and responsibilities at home. Everything is forgotten once they start playing with their mobile phones.
However, it all comes back to parenting. If parents are firm and there are rules at home that cannot be violated, such as only using the phone or playing games on weekends, and even then it is still limited to one hour a day, children will follow. Parents also need to follow the rules they have set at home.
So, regarding online learning at home, children, especially those in primary school, should not have their own phones. However, the situation forces them to have a phone so they can attend online classes. Apparently, having the freedom to have a phone at their age makes children grow up to be selfish. While learning, they can use their phone for other things. Since then, and until now, the child has had difficulty remembering their responsibilities, even when the phone is no longer there, as it has been taken away due to excessive use.
Parents need to establish phone usage rules at home. There are many service features in gadget applications. Children download many games, and after studying, they forget about time and immediately switch to playing games or watching YouTube and TikTok. If there are no limits on phone usage set by parents, the child will become more dependent on their phone. Setting rules for phone usage at home is necessary, even if it is late, as it will still have a significant impact.
The rules for using phones at home include:
- During school holidays, usually only on Saturdays and Sundays, and with time limits.
- During semester breaks and class promotions, with time limits in place.
Parents must still be firm and apply the rules that have been set. Good cooperation between parents is also important. Accompanying children to study and making an effort to ensure that they do not use their phones before going to bed. If balance is maintained, hopefully children can become more disciplined. Parental attention is crucial in helping children to break free from their addiction to phones.
Parents must remain firm even if their child whines, cries, or screams. They must remain committed to the household rules that have been established, even if their child throws a tantrum.
Hopefully, with the rules regarding the use of mobile phones for children at home, their dependence on it will decrease, and they will choose to play with their friends instead.
Living in the millennial era, we can only follow the current of the times. Nevertheless, rules should still be established to prevent children from becoming addicted to playing games on their mobile phones.
