Children Frequent Social Media Users Deemed Vulnerable to Hate Speech and Cyberbullying
Children who spend excessive time with gadgets are increasingly vulnerable to various risks in digital spaces, ranging from hate speech to cyberbullying.
Cybersecurity expert and Chairman of the Communication and Information System Security Research Center (CISSReC) Pratama Persadha stated that the highly open nature of social media makes children more susceptible to encountering and becoming targets of negative content online.
“The most frequently occurring risks include exposure to violent content, pornography, hate speech, and cyberbullying,” said Pratama when contacted on Monday, 16 March 2026.
According to him, this situation arises because the development of digital spaces is progressing far more rapidly than the readiness of regulations and public digital literacy.
“This is a form of state intervention to strengthen the governance of the ecosystem,” said Pratama.
He contended that deactivating social media accounts for users below a certain age can be understood as a preventive measure to reduce children’s exposure to increasingly complex digital threats.
“The rationale is quite strong when viewed from the perspective of child protection in digital spaces,” he said.
Children under 16 years of age are still in phases of cognitive and emotional development that are vulnerable to various external influences.
Uncontrolled exposure to digital content can influence how children form social perceptions, construct their identities, and develop behavioural patterns.
“Children who become victims of digital bullying often experience serious psychological pressure,” he said.
Such pressure can be compounded because attacks in digital spaces can occur continuously and spread widely through social networks.
Several technologies that can be utilised include digital identity integration, biometric analysis, and artificial intelligence systems capable of detecting usage patterns of underage users.
“Without the support of such technology, age-restriction policies risk becoming merely symbolic regulation that is difficult to enforce consistently,” said Pratama.