Psychologist warns of negative effects of social media on adolescent behaviour
Jakarta — Child psychologist Prof. Dr. Rose Mini Agoes Salim has cautioned that excessive use of devices and social media platforms can negatively impact adolescent behaviour.
Speaking to ANTARA on Friday (13 March), she explained that digital platform algorithms expose adolescents who actively use social media to content repeatedly aligned with their interests. “If they enjoy gaming, games keep appearing. If they shop, shopping keeps appearing. Eventually their world becomes limited to just those things,” she said.
She noted that such content exposure makes it difficult for adolescents to disengage from screens, risking dependency. Additionally, the ease of digital transactions can trigger consumptive behaviour in young users. “They know how to spend money, but not how to earn it. Because everything feels easy and is not tangible,” she remarked.
Without parental guidance and education, adolescents accessing digital platforms are at risk of impulsive behaviour. “What needs to be taught is how to exercise self-control and manage device usage to avoid excessive use,” she stated.
Salim emphasised that parents should continue to supervise and support children and adolescents’ digital platform usage, as developmental aspects such as social skills, critical thinking, and creative abilities need continued cultivation. Excessive digital platform usage can limit optimal development of these capabilities.
The psychologist noted that children’s and adolescents’ brain development remains in progress and is sensitive to rapid stimulation. “TikTok and Instagram reels are designed with short videos, endless scrolling, and notifications. These provide instant rewards, triggering the desire to continue viewing more content,” she explained.
Additionally, adolescents in their identity-formation phase seek recognition from their environment and believe they can obtain it through social media platforms. “When receiving many likes or comments, they feel accepted. This form of validation drives them to remain active,” she said.
Salim also highlighted that social media algorithms continuously present content relevant to users’ interests, making it difficult for children and adolescents to stop using these platforms. “Children find the content engaging and personally relevant. This makes them comfortable and unable to stop,” she added.
The government has implemented regulations limiting children under 16 years of age from accessing high-risk digital platforms to protect them from harmful content exposure. The psychologist emphasised the importance of parental involvement in supporting the implementation of regulations designed to protect children in digital spaces.