Improving Digital Literacy for Early Childhood Parents through the Digital Harmony Program in Setu District, Bekasi Regency

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FORMOSA NEWS

Bekasi Regency, West Java — Improving Digital Parenting Literacy for Early Childhood Parents through the Digital Harmony Program in Setu District, Bekasi Regency. This research was conducted by Ajat, Imamah, Ida Rarawati, Kurniasari, Siti Utami Agustina, Fahria Zulfah, and Dewi Syarifah from Panca Sakti University Bekasi and published in the Formosa Community Service Journal (JPMF) in February 2026.

Research conducted by Ajat, Imamah, Ida Rarawati, Kurniasari, Siti Utami Agustina, Fahria Zulfah, and Dewi Syarifah revealed that theory-based and direct practice training is able to strengthen parents' ability to accompany the use of gadgets while supporting children's language development.

Gadget usage increases, the risk of speech delay lurks

In Setu District, Bekasi Regency, the use of gadgets in early childhood is getting more intense. In daily practice, digital devices are often used as a tool for entertainment or sedation without adequate assistance.

This condition has an impact on reduced verbal interaction between parents and children. In fact, two-way communication and multisensory stimulation are the main foundations of language development. Without active interaction, children are at risk of speech delay.

Field findings show that most parents do not understand the safe limits of screen time, have not implemented active mentoring (co-viewing), and have not been able to recognize the early signs of language development disorders. This gap between parenting theory and practice is what prompted the birth of the Digital Harmony Program.

Training is not only theory, but hands-on practice

The Digital Harmony program is designed as an integrated educational model. A total of 30 participants consisting of parents, PAUD teachers, posyandu cadres, and community leaders participated in a series of activities that included:

• Pre-test to map initial knowledge
• Language development seminar and the risk of excessive screen time
• Introduction to the principles of 5P Digital Harmony
• Four practice workshop sessions
• Post-test to measure improved comprehension

The 5P principles introduced include:

1. Limitation of the duration of use of gadgets
2. Selection of educational content
3. Active mentoring (co-viewing)
4. Balancing digital and non-digital activities
5. Strengthening parent-child interaction In the workshop session, participants practiced eye contact building techniques, fast verbal responses, multisensory song-movements, interactive storytelling, and mentoring simulations when children watch digital content. This approach makes participants not only understand the concept, but also able to apply it in real life at home.

Yield increased 45–64%

Program evaluation is carried out through a comparison of pre-test and post-test scores. The results showed a significant improvement in all the indicators measured.

Some of the key findings include:

• Understanding of gadget assistance increased by 61%
• Adoption of responsive communication strategies increased by 64%
• Understanding of the early signs of speech delay increased by 52%
• Ability to choose educational content increased by 48. Overall, the increase in digital parenting literacy was in the range of 45–64% after participants participated in a series of seminars and workshops. These findings show that practice-based training methods are more effective than one-way information delivery. Participants not only know the theory, but also internalize it in daily parenting patterns.

Behavioural change, not just knowledge

Ajat and the team from Panca Sakti University Bekasi emphasized that the success of the program is not only measured by the increase in test scores, but also by changes in parents' mindsets and habits.

Methods that combine reflection, interactive discussions, hands-on practice, and mentoring allow participants to reconstruct old habits. Parents are beginning to understand that gadgets are not the enemy, but tools that need to be managed wisely. Active mentoring and two-way communication have proven to be important factors in supporting children's language development. When parents are emotionally present when children use gadgets, the quality of interaction is maintained.

Implications for education and family policy

The results of the Digital Harmony program provide an important message for the world of education and public policy. Digital parenting literacy needs to be part of family coaching programs, especially in areas with high exposure to gadgets.

The research team recommended several strategic steps:

·   Replication of the Digital Harmony Program in other communities with similar characteristics.

·  Continuous collaboration between universities, PAUD, posyandu, and local governments.

·         Integration of digital parenting materials in family education programs.

·         Advanced training so that changes in parental behavior can be sustainable.

Author Profile

1. Ajat – Academician of Panca Sakti University Bekasi
2. Imamah – Panca Sakti University Bekasi
3. Ida Rarawati – Panca Sakti University Bekasi
4. Kurniasari – Panca Sakti University Bekasi
5.  Siti Utami Agustina, Fahria Zulfah, and Dewi Syarifah – Panca Sakti University Bekasi

Research Source

Ajat, Imamah, Ida Rarawati, Kurniasari, Siti Utami Agustina, Fahria Zulfah, & Dewi Syarifah. (2026). Improving Digital Parenting Literacy for Early Childhood Parents Through the Digital Harmony Program in Setu District, Bekasi Regency.

Journal of Community Service Formosa (JPMF), Vol. 5 No. 1, pp. 37–44.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.55927/jpmf.v5i1.118
Official URL: https://ntlformosapublisher.org/index.php/jpmf