Tya Ariestya Chooses an Old Mobile Phone for Her Child, Not a Smartphone

Tya Ariestya takes a different approach amidst the trend of children using smartphones. Her son, Kanaka, is equipped with an old mobile phone that has a limited function for calling and sending text messages.

"So Kanaka is a bit quite timid. For example, when he needs to go to the bathroom, he has to open the toilet door. He feels like he doesn't want to be alone," said Tya Ariestya when met in the Warung Buncit area, South Jakarta, on Tuesday (11/08/2026).

"Then if we're at the cinema, for example, 'Kanaka, wait a moment, Dad wants to buy some food downstairs' or 'Dad needs to go to the toilet first'. He follows me. He doesn't want to be left alone," she added.

1. Reasons Tya Ariestya Chooses an Old Phone for Kanaka

Tya Ariestya and the children © instagram.com/tya_ariestya

Tya explained that the decision to provide this simple device came from Kanaka's need to feel safe and be able to contact her parents when separated in public places.

"In the end, my husband asked me why? One of the reasons is because she is scared and confused if she happens to be alone and wants to find where her Mom and Dad are," she said.

She and her husband agreed to postpone giving a gadget that has free internet access. Their focus is to provide a communication tool that is easy to use when needed.

"So it means that we do need a tool for communication. Meanwhile, my husband and I are still not ready to give a handphone that is indeed a gadget that can access the internet and so on," Tya Ariestya added.

2. Only for Communication, Without Internet

The old mobile phone is positioned as an emergency communication tool when Kanaka is in public spaces or separated from their parents. Its function is limited to calls and SMS, making its use directed.

"So in the end, we just bought an old handphone that uses credit. The credit is 150 thousand, and so is the price. That's how it is. Now he feels confident when at the cinema, saying 'Wait a minute, Kanaka, I'll go to the toilet first'. He can join because he already has a handphone, so if he needs anything, he can just call," said Tya Ariestya.

Tya stated that having the mobile phone makes Kanaka more confident when at the cinema because he can immediately contact his parents if needed.

3. Affordable Price, Child Remains Confident

Tya revealed that the phone they bought is affordable, as is the credit cost. For them, the main function as a communication tool has been achieved without having to provide luxurious devices.

"Alhamdulillah, my children have never felt inferior with ordinary items. So he has a 150 thousand item, and he is proud of it. How does he show his pride? He painted the back of it himself, creating it to be different from others," concluded Tya Ariestya.

Kanaka even decorated the back of his phone with spray paint. According to Tya, this makes Kanaka feel that his phone is different and fosters a sense of pride even though it is not a smartphone.

(kpl/phi)