Child psychologist Professor Seto Mulyadi, popularly known as Kak Seto, highlighted the significant impact of the digital world on the behavior of children and teenagers today.
He explained that the digital era is like a double-edged sword, offering positive opportunities for children but also presenting threats such as child grooming, cyberbullying, pornography, radicalism, violence, and misinformation.
To address these challenges, Kak Seto emphasized that religious education should be the foundation for shaping children’s character.
“We must focus on faith, worship, and morals, but sometimes morals receive less attention,” he said during the Safari Ilmu di Ramadan (Samudra) event titled ‘Challenging the Lifestyle of Today’s Children: A Movement to Instill Islamic Values in the Contemporary Era,’ held on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025, at UGM Campus Mosque.
Equally important, he added, is the role of adults in setting an example, as children learn more from what they see than from what they are told.
“Parents today should no longer act as bosses or commanders giving orders, but rather build a relationship of friendship and engage in discussions with their children,” he explained.
Additionally, supporting children in educational institutions should be done creatively and in an enjoyable manner.
Creative learning methods, such as educational games, inspirational stories, and social activities, play a significant role in shaping children’s character positively.
“Effective learning happens in a joyful environment,” he said.
Kak Seto called on everyone to actively participate in nurturing a creative and virtuous generation.
He believes that Indonesian children’s character must be built on moral values, global diversity, cooperation, and the ability to work together.
“Let’s create a creative generation by becoming creative educators and role models ourselves,” he urged.
Author: Rahma Khoirunnisa
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang
Photograph: UGM Campus Mosque