How Caca Tengker Guides Her Children in the Digital Era, Making Pre-Sleep Moments Quality Time

In an era where technology is deeply integrated into children's lives, psychologist and public figure Marsha Tengker, known as Caca Tengker, stresses the crucial role of parental accompaniment in navigating the digital world. She believes that simply limiting gadget use is insufficient; parents must actively guide children to understand and critically evaluate online information.

Tengker highlighted that the internet is now an integral part of child development, especially with increased online learning and information gathering post-pandemic. "Supervision and communication are inseparable," she stated during a YouTube talkshow in Jakarta on June 4, 2026. She utilizes digital safety features, such as linked child accounts requiring parental approval for app downloads and monitoring search history, to create a safer online environment without excessive oversight.

Beyond technological safeguards, Tengker champions a parenting philosophy centered on building strong parent-child relationships. Her approach includes "connection before correction," prioritizing a warm bond before offering guidance. This fosters an environment where children feel heard and are more open to discussing their online experiences. She also advocates for "curiosity over control," encouraging exploration before imposing rules, and "consistency over perfection," recognizing that daily consistency in building good habits is more vital than achieving flawless parenting.

These principles aim to equip children with critical thinking skills to filter daily information consumption while nurturing a healthy digital upbringing. The discussion, part of the AKSI Digital YouTube event, also featured Astry Novita, Dora Songco, and Nanda Yurani.