Active Playtime Needed to Prevent Kids from Gaming and Gadget Addiction, Says Deputy Minister

Robert Starling    Minggu, Agustus 10, 2025    Comment   

Active Playtime Needed to Prevent Kids from Gaming and Gadget Addiction, Says Deputy Minister

Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development Ratu Ayu Isyana Bagoes Oka speaking at a discussion in Jakarta about the importance of physical activity for children to prevent gadget addiction.

Jakarta, August 9, 2025 – Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development, Ratu Ayu Isyana Bagoes Oka, emphasized the importance of parents providing space and time for physical activities to keep children from becoming addicted to games and gadgets. She shared this during a discussion titled “The Role of Family Development in Welcoming Indonesia’s Golden Era 2045,” held at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) in Jakarta.

Isyana urged parents to keep learning and stay updated on what their kids are interested in. “Kids often learn faster than their parents when it comes to online apps and technology. Parents need to catch up to guide them better,” she said.

She explained that children naturally seek what’s called “cheap dopamine” — quick hits of pleasure from scrolling social media or playing online games, which can lead to addiction. “One solution, as Veronica Tan mentioned earlier, is more physical activity. Dopamine can also come from sunlight and outdoor activities because the human body is designed to move, not just scroll,” Isyana added.

Veronica Tan, Deputy Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, shared about her ministry’s program called Ruang Bersama Indonesia (RBI). This program provides safe, inclusive spaces for women, children, and the community to empower themselves, learn, play, and foster creativity. Through RBI, Veronica hopes children will have more access to traditional games, creative play, and sports — helping reduce gadget addiction.

With government initiatives and active parental involvement, it is hoped that Indonesian children will grow up healthy and balanced between digital and physical worlds. Moving forward, improving open spaces and creative programs like RBI will be key to preventing technology addiction and shaping a smart, productive generation for Indonesia’s 2045 vision.

18,000 PKB and PLKB Cadres Ready to Lead Free Nutritious Meal Program for Pregnant Women and Toddlers

Ria Sartika    Sabtu, Agustus 09, 2025    Comment   

18,000 PKB and PLKB Cadres Ready to Lead Free Nutritious Meal Program for Pregnant Women and Toddlers

PKB and PLKB cadres distributing free nutritious meal packages to pregnant women and toddlers at a community health post.

Jakarta – A total of 18,000 Family Planning Extension Workers (PKB) and Field Officers (PLKB) are ready to be the frontline in implementing the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. This initiative targets pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, early childhood education (PAUD) children, and toddlers, especially those under 2 years old. This was announced by the Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga), Ratu Ayu Isyana Bagoes Oka, during a discussion titled "The Role of Family Development in Welcoming Indonesia’s Golden Era 2045" held in Jakarta on Friday (8/9).

Isyana explained that the MBG program is not only aimed at school children but also targets pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, toddlers, and PAUD children who have not been reached by the Ministry of Education and Culture's programs. “This MBG initiative is a concrete government step to ensure optimal nutrition from an early age, with our cadres at Kemendukbangga playing a vital role,” she said. In addition, Kemendukbangga collaborates with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Home Affairs to form Family Assistance Teams (TPK), totaling 600,000 members nationwide. These teams consist of healthcare workers such as midwives and nurses, as well as PKK and family planning cadres who assist in distributing MBG at the community level.

Furthermore, Isyana emphasized the importance of good nutrition starting from the first 1,000 days of life, which she described as the most crucial period to prevent stunting. “The 1,000-day period doesn’t just start at birth but begins in the womb. Ensuring pregnant women receive nutritious food is key to developing future human resources,” she said. This program is also part of the family development goals outlined in Asta Cita 4, which focuses on improving human resource quality starting at the family level and from an early age.

With the active involvement of 18,000 PKB and PLKB cadres and hundreds of thousands of Family Assistance Team members, the government is optimistic that the MBG program can be distributed evenly and effectively. This effort is expected to accelerate the reduction of stunting rates and improve the quality of Indonesia’s future generations in preparation for Indonesia’s Golden Era 2045.