Psychologist: Total social media ban risks triggering adolescent resistance

Jakarta (ANTARA) — Teresa Indira Andani, a clinical adult psychologist with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Indonesia, argues that completely banning social media use among adolescents is neither effective nor advisable, as it risks triggering resistance.

“In developmental psychology, adolescents are in a phase of increasing autonomy needs. When rules feel too rigid, psychological reactance can emerge—a drive to resist restrictions,” said Teresa in remarks to ANTARA on Friday.

According to Teresa, during adolescence the need for independence in decision-making increases. Teenagers want to be recognised as individuals capable of making their own choices.

As a result, several possibilities can emerge. Adolescents may feel untrusted, relationships with parents become more tense, and social media use is instead conducted in secret.

“A total ban can cause parents to miss opportunities to understand their child’s world. Yet social media is part of their social reality,” said the psychologist, commonly known as Tesya.

Beyond this, discussions about healthy content and risks in the digital world are also important so that young people understand the reasoning behind the rules that are set.

“The goal is not merely to restrict from the outside, but to help children learn self-management. Self-control needs to be practised, not forced,” she said.

Tesya emphasises that parenting in the digital era requires open communication and relationships grounded in trust, so that rules do not become sources of prolonged conflict.