Minister of Population and Family Development and Head of the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) Wihaji said around 68 million Indonesians aged 10 to 24 are at risk, with nearly one in three feeling isolated as digital devices dominate their daily lives.
He said many children are not truly heard in conversations, while in some families mobile phones act like a “new member” commanding attention over human interaction.
One in four teenagers has experienced stress affecting mental health due to a lack of face-to-face engagement, Wihaji said, adding the habit of using phones even during meals has worsened the problem.
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Research shows high school students spend an average of seven to eight hours a day on gadgets, eroding their mental resilience as they increasingly turn to the internet instead of personal connections to solve problems.
Wihaji cautioned against surrendering life to digital algorithms, stressing that while advanced economies embrace technology, they also maintain balance to preserve social interaction and independent thought.
He delivered the remarks at the Young Health Summit 2025, held virtually in Jakarta, organized by Plan Indonesia with BKKBN, AstraZeneca Young Health Programme, Lentera Anak Foundation, and Yarsi University. The event carried the theme “Stay Fit, Stay Lit.”
The forum aims to raise awareness of healthy lifestyles and prepare Indonesian youth for the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.
Experts warn that gadget overuse reduces empathy, fuels self-isolation, and raises risks of stress, anxiety, and depression. They say parental guidance and time limits on screen use are key to prevention.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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