From scrolling through social media to watching videos and chatting with friends, many university students in Indonesia spend most of their time on their mobile phones.

Tyas Sisianindita, a student in Indonesia, said she spends about eight hours a day on her mobile phone. Sisianindita admitted to being addicted to her phone, constantly checking it from the moment she wakes up, even while sitting in class. At night, when unable to fall asleep, she can use her phone until 5 a.m.

Nettox, a wearable device invented by Indonesian students to warn people about their sedentary time. (Photo: Reuters)

A group of students at the University of Indonesia, led by inventor Irfan Budi Satria, spent three months developing a wearable device that helps internet users like Sisianindita reduce their phone usage time. The research team's goal is to assist health-conscious individuals who genuinely want to change their behavior and free themselves from internet addiction.

The device, named Nettox—a Indonesian blend word for "internet detox"—is worn on the wrist and features a sensor that measures heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and heart rate variability (HRV).

Studies have found that prolonged mobile phone use lowers HRV levels. The Nettox device emits a sound when HRV drops and blood oxygen falls within a specific range, reminding the wearer to put down their phone.

Satria noted that according to the American Psychological Association, the ideal HRV index for individuals aged 18 to 25 should remain above 60. In a recent test, student Sisianindita’s HRV reading was at 44.

Internet addiction is a growing social issue in Indonesia. Last October, two teenagers were treated at a hospital due to online gaming addiction. Psychologist Kasandra Putranto recommends that children be taught to stay active and regularly engage in extracurricular activities.

Satria added that the research team plans to personalize the Nettox device and improve its accuracy, as HRV readings can vary based on body composition, gender, and individual health conditions. The team aims to file a patent application for their invention with the university next year.

Source: https://khoahoc.tv/indonesia-phat-minh-thiet-bi-ho-tro-nguoi-nghien-internet-102360