Strategi Pengasuhan Orang Tua dalam Mengelola Penggunaan Gadget Berlebihan pada Anak Usia 4-6 Tahun: Studi Multikasus pada Keluarga di Era Digital

Abstract

Digital devices have become part of many young children’s everyday lives, making parental guidance important when screen use begins to interfere with other activities. This study explored how parents manage excessive gadget use among children aged 4-6 years, the strategies they apply, and the factors that support or hinder these efforts. A qualitative multiple-case study was conducted with five parents in Sirnasari Village, Sariwangi District, Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java. Data were gathered through observation, semi-structured in-depth interviews, and documentation, and were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña. The findings describe several indicators reported by parents: daily use of approximately 2-5 hours, repeated requests for devices, difficulty stopping use, and crying or tantrums when access was restricted. Parents reported using time limits, supervision and content selection, alternative play activities, and adult modeling. The cases differed in the rules applied and in parents’ ability to supervise: some set explicit daily limits or a specific period of use, while others reported that work commitments made consistent supervision difficult. Support from family members and schools helped reinforce rules, whereas parents’ work schedules, peer influences, and established routines complicated implementation. Because the study did not measure children’s behavior before and after these strategies, the findings are interpreted as parents’ reported experiences rather than evidence that the strategies caused a reduction in gadget dependency.