{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1611880,
        "msgid": "psychologist-social-media-fulfils-adolescent-identity-needs-1773417279",
        "date": "2026-03-13 22:06:47",
        "title": "Psychologist: Social media fulfils adolescent identity needs",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "A clinical psychologist from the University of Indonesia explains that Generation Alpha's attraction to social media is rooted in their psychological development needs, particularly the adolescent quest for identity and social belonging. She notes that digital platforms provide an ideal space for self-expression and immediate feedback, whilst also triggering dopamine release through notifications and interactions. Understanding these developmental aspects is crucial for parents to support their children's identity formation in the digital age.",
        "content": "<p>Jakarta \u2014 A clinical adult psychologist and Master\u2019s graduate from\nthe University of Indonesia, Teresa Indira, explains that Generation\nAlpha\u2019s attraction to social media cannot be separated from their\npsychological development needs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey are the first generation that has lived in a digital\nenvironment since birth. Smartphones, YouTube, TikTok, and various other\nplatforms have become part of their daily life,\u201d Teresa said when\ncontacted by ANTARA on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>According to the psychologist, often called Tesya, Generation Alpha\nrefers to children born around 2010 to 2024 or 2025. By 2026, the\nearliest members of this generation have entered the pre-adolescent to\nearly adolescent phase.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAdolescents are asking themselves: who am I, which group do I fit\ninto, and how do others perceive me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>According to Tesya, social media provides a space that aligns\nperfectly with these needs. Digital platforms allow adolescents to\nexpress themselves through photos, videos, or opinions, whilst\nsimultaneously receiving immediate responses from their social\nenvironment.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond psychological factors, biological aspects also play a role.\nShe explained that notifications and interactions on social media\ntrigger dopamine release in the brain, producing a sense of pleasure and\nencouraging repetition of such behaviour.<\/p>\n<p>The combination of identity needs, social connection, and biological\nresponses makes social media feel relevant to adolescents.<\/p>\n<p>She believes that understanding these developmental aspects is\nimportant so that parents can view social media usage in a more\nproportional manner and be able to support their children in the process\nof identity formation in the digital era.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/psychologist-social-media-fulfils-adolescent-identity-needs-1773417279",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}