Jakarta, January 14, 2026 – More than one in four primary school children in Indonesia (28%) are showing signs of potential internet addiction, according to new research, and parental influence is the biggest factor. The study, led by Swinburne University of Technology, reveals a strong link between mobile device use for entertainment and addictive behaviors in young children.
The Allure and the Risks of Digital Distraction
A new study highlights how easily children can develop problematic internet habits,and the crucial role parents play in prevention.
- Over 63% of Indonesian primary school children exceed recommended screen time guidelines.
- Mobile phone use for gaming,social media,and streaming is strongly associated with internet addiction risk.
- Parental mediation – setting limits, filtering content, and encouraging offline activities – significantly reduces risk.
- Online activities like remote learning and schoolwork are linked to a lower risk of addiction.
The research, published in the journal Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, surveyed primary school children in Indonesia. It found that exceeding recommended screen time was common, with a majority of children spending more time online than experts advise. Associate Professor Abdullah Al Mahmud, the Chief Investigator from Swinburne, explained that these findings likely reflect a broader global trend as technology becomes increasingly pervasive in children’s lives.
“Our study found that using mobile phones for gaming, social media, and watching entertainment videos was associated with a higher risk of internet addiction,” said Associate Professor Al Mahmud. “Conversely, online activities like remote communication, learning, and doing schoolwork are significantly associated with a lower risk.”
Parental Guidance: A powerful Tool
The research, stemming from a Ph.D. project by Yansen Theopilus, underscored the critical role parents play in shaping their children’s relationship with technology.consistent implementation of strategies like limiting recreational screen time,filtering inappropriate content,promoting positive online experiences,and encouraging real-world activities all had a positive impact.
Citation:
Revealing the parental role in preventing childhood internet addiction and how to combat it (2026, January 14) retrieved 14 January 2026 from https://phys.org/news/2026-01-revealing-parental-role-childhood-internet.html
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