The current development of information technology has many positive impacts on people’s lives. Social media is an important part of the development of information technology in everyone’s life. Many platforms make things easy. Wider communication and faster access to information are the benefits we can get today through social media. But on the other hand, social media has a negative impact that makes many people addicted and dependent. Moreover, this addiction has appeared in today’s children. The reason is that with all the beauty of social networks, they often distract children and spend hours in front of screens. Many studies show that today’s children spend more time on social networks, making them less active and less willing to exercise. Lack of physical activity in children can have a bad impact on health.
One of the problematic issues lately is the increasing risk of chronic disease diabetes and kidney failure in children. Diseases that are often suffered by adults are now increasingly found in children. In addition to a lack of physical activity, a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy dietary patterns, and exacerbated addiction to social media use, make children get diabetes and kidney failure. Why is that? A study showed that with the lack of activity, unhealthy diet, and social media addiction that occurs in children today, their bodies are unable to regulate blood sugar levels, leading to an increased risk of diabetes. This lifestyle also increases the risk of hypertension and obesity, both of which are the main factors in the occurrence of kidney disease. Another factor that causes an increased risk of chronic diseases in children is changes in their lifestyle and dietary habits. In this day and age, children are increasingly exposed to unhealthy food advertisements on social media platforms. They usually tend to favor foods that are rich in Sugar, Salt, and Fat (GGL) due to the tempting appearance of packaging and promotions. This is what triggers many children to experience diabetes and kidney failure.
For cases in Indonesia itself, the data presented by the Indonesia Pediatrician Association (IDAI) is very concerning. From 2010 to 2023, diabetes cases in children are estimated to increase by 70%. In addition, IDAI research shows that one in five children aged 12 to 18 years experience early symptoms of kidney failure, such as hematuria and proteinuria. These figures are not just dry statistics but reflect the harsh reality faced by many families across Indonesia.
Protecting children from the risk of long-term diseases such as diabetes and kidney failure needs to be made a major focus at the national and international levels. Over the past few years, we have seen a substantial spike in the number of cases of non-communicable diseases among children, such as diabetes and kidney problems. Shifts in children’s living habits and diets, influenced by various aspects, such as social media and easy access to unhealthy food, have led to an increase in cases of these diseases at an earlier age. I am very concerned about the future of the coming generations, I want to emphasize the importance of not only concentrating on one issue, such as stunting prevention efforts, while other serious threats will emerge as we age.
To solve this problem, I suggest that providing education about healthy eating patterns and activities is a very crucial first step. Adults and children need to be educated more deeply about the risks posed by consuming foods high in sugar, salt, and fat, as well as the importance of adopting a balanced and healthy diet. Education on this subject should start from an early age, both at home and at school. So that children can make decisions about better and healthier foods. In addition, it is also important to involve the community at large in this initiative, by utilizing social media and various other digital platforms to disseminate information about the importance of healthy living. By improving this understanding, we can contribute to changes in children’s diets and lower the likelihood of chronic diseases later in life.
However, simply providing education is not enough to deal with this issue. This is where the role of the government must take the initiative to take concrete steps in supervising the food sector, especially related to products intended for children. One efficient method is to require information on the level of sugar, salt, and fat content in food and beverage packaging as has been done in Singapore. This data will support consumers, especially parents, in choosing more nutritious options for their children. This step is expected to encourage manufacturers to reduce the levels of Sugar, Salt, and Fat in their products so that the potential health risks posed can be minimized.
In addition, the government must tighten regulations regarding the content of Sugar, Salt, and Fat in food, especially in snacks that are often consumed by children. Strict supervision and implementation of regulations are very important so that the food industry does not sacrifice children’s health for financial gain. In addition to the steps taken by the government and the industrial sector, community contributions also have a crucial role in this prevention effort. Parents, educators, and the community need to join hands to build an atmosphere that supports a healthy lifestyle for children. This involves providing opportunities for nutritious food, encouraging physical activity, as well as reducing children’s exposure to unhealthy food advertisements. We need to teach children about the significance of choosing healthy options, both in food choices and in daily activities.
The phenomenon of increasing non-communicable diseases in children is a threat that needs to be dealt with immediately. If we do not take action quickly, the consequences will be very detrimental to the future of the country. As such, preventive measures should be our top priority. It is better to prevent than to overcome, and in this case, preventive measures should start from this point. All elements, including governments, legislatures, industry sectors, and society, need to collaborate to safeguard the health of our children.
Finally, I would like to emphasize that children’s health is the most important investment for the future. We should not allow them to thrive in an atmosphere that can be detrimental to their health. It is time for us to move with concrete actions to guarantee that they can have a healthy and solid future. In this way, we not only keep our children healthy from various diseases but also guarantee that future generations can grow and develop optimally.
By: Ravydo Anggara Jufri
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