Through the Internet OK, Take Care of Family Mental Health in the Digital Age

This series of activities took place from January to August 2022 in a hybrid manner. General Manager of CSR Telkomsel, Andry P. Santoso said, in this Internet BAIK series, all the material presented was about the role of families, especially parents, in guiding children to explore the digital world.

"Technology acceleration is like a double-edged sword. When we use it with good things, it will have a good impact on us, but it can also be the other way around. Through this program, we want to provide a stimulus for the people of Indonesia," said Andry on Thursday, August 4, 2022. at Bandung Creative Hub.

He added that since 2016 Telkomsel has been promoting the BAIK Internet program. Before the pandemic, this program was carried out offline by visiting schools throughout Indonesia.

"We go offline, we come to schools in Indonesia. We meet parents, teachers, and children. We hold workshops in various regions with different thematics," he said.

Based on the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas), more than 19 million people over the age of 15 experience mental and emotional disorders. Then, more than 12 million people aged over 15 years experienced depression.

Responding to this, the Secretary of the Bandung City Communication and Information Office (Diskominfo), Darto AP, said that in 2021 there will be dozens of children who will meet medical experts because they have problems with gadget addiction.

"Dozens of children visited RSKIA / Bandung Kiwari Hospital because they had problems with gadget addiction. In fact, some were receiving treatment at Cisarua Hospital," said Darto.

According to him, this happens because digital literacy in society, especially teenagers, is still relatively low. In fact, the city's internet capacity runs faster than people's digital literacy.

In line with this, the Head of the Bandung City Puspaga, Siti Muntamah Oded said, there were several families who came to the Puspaga with various mental health problems related to internet addiction.

"There are fathers who are addicted to pornography, there are also toddlers under 3 years who are addicted to their gadgets. This needs to be discussed together, although it is not easy, God willing, we can solve it together," said Siti.

He said, one way to unravel the problem is to create good communication within the family. Families should spend time with each other.

"Looking, listening, talking. This family is an institution that can deliver the best civilization for humans," he explained.

For him, not only the mother is present, but also the father's role is very important in maintaining mental health in the digital era. Moreover, Indonesia is included as a fatherless country.

"There is a father figure, but there is no presence. Positive communication space in the family must be born, especially in the era of society 5.0," he said.

"Father's presence is very important to help mothers educate their children, especially in their faith and piety," he added. (din)**

Head of the Bandung City Communication and Information Technology

Yayan A. Brilyana