25 June 2025

As rapid advancements in digital technology continue, they have become increasingly captivating. Children today spend more time interacting with social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and others than they do with their own parents.

“Today, many parents are not engaging enough with their children,” said Usli Sarsi, Advisor of the Budi Utomo Abdi Nusa Education Foundation, during his speech at the Parenting Seminar: Happy and Healthy Family Life held at the Tio Ciu Foundation Building on Saturday (21/6).

Technology today offers many conveniences. People can interact with anyone regardless of distance and time through social media. They can quickly ask anything through ChatGPT and receive immediate answers. People can also play games, either alone or with others remotely, along with many other conveniences.

However, if children spend more time interacting with technology than with their parents, it may lead to problems. That is why the role of parents is crucial in guiding their children to grow up with strong moral character.

“This morning, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the speakers of this parenting seminar, Mrs. Kristin Liu and Mr. Taufik,” added Usli, who also serves as the Chief Advisor of the Mahkota Tricom Education Foundation.

The education given to children is fundamental. If the education provided by parents is good, the child will grow and develop well, with a good moral foundation. Conversely, poor guidance can lead to the opposite outcome.

Therefore, Usli continued, learn cultural values at home. The first lessons children receive come from the home. Make the home the safest and most comfortable place for children. That way, when children face problems outside, they will feel that the safest and most comfortable place to turn to is their parents—not social media or strangers.

"Our main duty as parents is to set a good example for our children—plain and simple. And most importantly, show them love and affection."

"Children need love and attention through consistent communication and interaction—that’s what matters."

“My mother, my parents were busy working to support their children,” he recalled.

But even though they worked, they still spoke to their children with the language of the heart—the language of love. “That’s what I received. That’s the key.”

The first speaker, Kristin Liu, CCH, presented a topic titled “Mindful Parenting: Solving Children’s Issues in the Digital Era”, pointing out many common mistakes parents make when raising children.

“Children tend to imitate the behavior of their parents. Often, parents unknowingly set poor examples,” she said.

Unintentionally, parents teach children to lie—for example, when answering the phone and saying, “I’m on the way,” while in fact, the parent just stepped out of the bathroom and the child saw it.

Many parents lack interaction with their children, even during family gatherings like eating out at a restaurant, where each family member is often preoccupied with their own gadget.

The second speaker, Taufik A.Md.Kom, CHT, Ci, delivered a presentation on “The Role of Parents in Preventing Drug and Online Gaming Addiction Among Youth”. 

Source : https://medan.tribunnews.com/2025/06/24/seminar-parenting-happy-and-healthy-family-life