DAMPAK INTERAKSI SOSIAL: PERSEPSI ORANG TUA TENTANG PENGGUNAAN GAWAI SAAT MAKAN PADA ANAK USIA DINI

Abstract

The increasing use of gadgets among early childhood children has become a growing concern because it is believed to affect their social interactions in daily activities, including during mealtimes. This study aims to describe parents' perceptions of gadget use during mealtimes and its impact on the social interactions of early childhood children. The study employed a qualitative approach with a phenomenological design. The participants consisted of seven parents who had children aged 5 to 6 years and were selected through purposive sampling, while two children were involved as observation subjects. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and documentation. The data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model, which includes data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate that most parents have negative perceptions of gadget use during mealtimes because it reduces children's focus on eating and limits communication with family members. Parents also perceive that gadget use has negative effects on children's social interactions, including reduced communication responses, eye contact, communication initiative, and participation in conversations. To address these issues, parents implement strategies such as limiting gadget use, educating children about appropriate gadget use, and consistently establishing and enforcing rules regarding gadget use. These findings highlight the importance of parental involvement in managing gadget use to support the development of social interaction skills in early childhood.