UI Professor: Children Under 16 Not Psychologically Ready for Social Media

The use of social media by children is now a serious concern for psychology experts and the government. Professor of Psychology at the University of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Rose Mini Agoes Salim, M.Psi., who is familiarly known as Romy, has stated that children under the age of 16 are not yet psychologically ready to manage social media accounts independently. Children’s limited ability to filter information and control their emotions means they require layered protection, starting from the family environment to government regulations through the Government Regulation on Electronic System Governance for Child Protection (PP TUNAS). According to Prof. Romy, children’s abilities develop gradually, and each age phase has different psychological characteristics in responding to digital stimulation. This gap between emotional development and self-control maturity makes children under 16 highly vulnerable to risks in the digital space, such as exposure to negative content and the threat of cybercrime. Responding to this vulnerability, Prof. Romy assessed that the presence of PP TUNAS is a crucial step by the government. This regulation serves as an initial blocking mechanism to prevent children from accessing platforms that are not yet suitable for their age. “The government is present, PP TUNAS helps to block access first. However, parents and those around the child must provide stimulation so that the child can eventually protect themselves,” said Romy. She stressed that while government regulation is important, parental responsibility remains the main factor in shaping a child’s character to be wise in the digital world. Digital readiness is not just about the ability to operate a device, but rather the psychological maturity to face the risks within it. Through synergy between government regulation (PP TUNAS) and strict parental supervision, it is hoped that Indonesian children can be protected from the negative impacts of the digital world until they reach an age mature enough to be responsible for their own online activities.