Digital Literacy To Prevent +18 Content Access On Social Media By Children At Pelangi Nusantara Kindergarten

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March 15, 2022

Nowadays, the existence of digital content in various groups of age has been very massive. However, children are considered to be one of the groups of age that is most possible to be exposed to negative digital content. In order to prevent it, the Department of Communication Science FISIP Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) had held digital literacy socialization for the parents of students at Karakter Pelangi Nusantara Kindergarten, Semarang on Saturday (12/02).

The Lecturer Community Service Team led by Much. Yuliyanto, S.Sos., M.Si., carried out the topic of Digital Literacy: “Parental Assistance in the Use of Social Media and Education On Pornographic Content In Early Childhood”.

The Head of the Karakter Pelangi Nusantara Kindergarten Foundation Semarang, Sri Kusmiati, gave her appreciation to the initiative presented by the Department of Communication Science FISIP Universitas Diponegoro, one of which was in educating the parents on digital literacy. Especially, the one in preventing the children to be exposed to the negative influence of bad adult content on social media.

“Digital Literacy is an important thing to be understood by every parent in educating their children, especially while they are still growing up.” Said Sri Kusmiati.

The presentation was started by Dr. Hedi Pudjo Santosa who explained a tragic fact on how many children had watched pornographic shows. “It is according to the research of a credible scientific institution and of course, we are worried about it.” He explained.

The second speaker was Dr. Adi Nugroho, M.Si who suggested the parents accompany their children continuously while using the communication media. It could be during their various activities such as physical activities, while they were playing in the yard or with their friends, and occasionally they might switch to play with their smart gadgets. The children needed our assistance. Just like on television, there were shows with the label BO, a.k.a parental guidance. However, media is an unavoidable thing for students of Kindergarten and PAUD (early childhood education). So, use it wisely.

Dr. Adi did appreciate what was said by one of the parents that children were allowed to use their smart gadgets in one condition, which was at a certain time and after reciting the Qur’an. This was expected to be carried out regularly and in various ways depending on the situation and condition of the parents and family. So that, it could minimize the negative influence of the media. However, there is still the good side of media. Thus, it seems impossible to totally ban children from using it.

Parents were enthusiastic during the discussion on digital literacy at Karakter Pelangi Nusantara Semarang Kindergarten on Saturday (12/03).

The interactive discussion was closed by Agus Naryoso, S.Sos., M.Si. Agus explained that plenty of adult content might enter the ‘children’s room’. Not to mention the television, where in prime time, where children were still studying, they were provided with adult programs on the television that tend to be pornographic. Agus also asked the parents to be role models for their children in using their smartphones wisely and in healthy ways.

The digital literacy event was held in hybrid mode, where the socialization was held virtually on Zoom meeting and it presented 20 participants offline and interactive in the classroom with strict health protocol applied.

The event held at Karakter Pelangi Nusantara involved students of the 4-year Diploma of Information and Public Relations of the Vocation School. They were Aulia Handayani, Kinan and Satria. They had actively assisted the participants during the interactive session. There were a total of 55 participants joining the event online and offline.

“It is expected that by the digital literacy socialization, parents can sort out the good and bad information for their children.” Said Ayu, a lecturer and a member of the Fisip Undip Community Service Team.