Psychologist: PP Tunas a Crucial Step to Protect Children from Social Media Impacts

Jambi City (ANTARA) - Psychologist Eka Renny Yustisia of Jambi City views Government Regulation (PP) Number 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic System Organisers in Child Protection (PP Tunas) as a crucial preventive step to protect children from the negative impacts of social media. Speaking in Jambi on Monday, Eka Renny Yustisia stated that the implementation of the PP Tunas policy provides a safe space for adolescents to develop cognitively and emotionally without excessive social pressures. As a result, children are vulnerable to exposure to content that romanticises early marriage on social media. According to her, this leads to misguided perceptions, such as viewing marriage as an instant solution or a trend without understanding the accompanying psychological responsibilities. Eka highlighted the phenomenon of fear of missing out (FOMO) due to unrealistic lifestyle trends, including the glorification of young marriage that only shows the positive side. “Restricting independent account access for children under 16 is an important form of protection so that they are not exposed to pressures to act mature before their time,” she said. Furthermore, this regulation can break the chain of digital addiction and impulsive behaviour triggered by social media algorithms that work through instant dopamine stimulation. She assessed that unmonitored digital interactions could increase risks such as manipulation by adults (grooming), exposure to pornography, and sexual exploitation that may lead to child marriage due to pressure or unwanted pregnancy. “We strongly support this PP Tunas policy, but we also remind that digital regulation is only one side of the coin, while the other side is family education, because without healthy dialogue between parents and children, children may still find ways to circumvent the system,” she stated.