Analisis Adiksi Gawai dan Dampaknya pada Kesehatan Reproduksi Remaja di SMP Negeri 10 Kota Medan

Abstract

Gadget addiction is the inability to control gadget usage, resulting in spending excessive time using gadgets while neglecting other activities. Excessive gadget usage is commonly found among adolescent students. An initial survey through interviews with 3 adolescents at SMP Negeri 10 Kota Medan revealed gadget addiction related to social media use, online gaming, and access to pornographic content. Initially, gadgets were used for school learning activities, but in reality, adolescents spend more time on negative activities that can impact adolescent reproductive health issues. This research aims to analyze the causes of gadget addiction, characterize gadget addiction patterns, examine impacts on reproductive health, evaluate parents' roles in monitoring and controlling gadget usage, and assess teachers' roles in handling adolescents with gadget addiction. This research employed a qualitative method with a case study approach. Informants consisted of 5 adolescents as key informants, 3 parents and 1 teacher as supporting informants, selected using the snowball sampling technique. Research results indicated various factors causing gadget addiction including internal, external, situational, and social factors. Adolescents experience gadget addiction based on characteristic signs, intensity of gadget usage, frequently accessed applications, and gadget usage activities. The impacts include physical effects such as sexually transmitted infections, masturbation, and menstrual disorders, as well as psychological impacts including hypersexuality, sexual fantasies, body image issues, and feelings of guilt. The role of parents in monitoring and controlling gadget usage among adolescents is crucial, yet many parents are not firm in setting limitations or monitoring children's digital activities. Active parental involvement is needed in monitoring gadget usage through currently available technologies such as parental control applications to minimize the risk of gadget addiction. The role of teachers at school is also required in establishing rules for gadget usage and handling adolescents with gadget addiction, considering that schools can serve as important venues for addressing this issue.