How Social Media Shapes Public Opinion on Government Policy

By: Siti Hawa Noviyanti

JurnalPost.com - Social media has become a crucial space for political communication. Citizens no longer rely solely on television, radio, and newspapers for information; they now consume news and voice their opinions through Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, and other digital platforms.

This shift has made communication between the government and the public more open and rapid. Government policies can reach the public in an instant, quickly sparking support, criticism, questions, and debate across social media.

A compelling example is the Indonesian government's policy restricting social media access for children under 16 on platforms deemed high-risk. Implemented in 2026, this policy triggered discussions regarding child protection in digital spaces, access to information, parental roles, and the responsibilities of both the government and technology companies.

This phenomenon demonstrates that social media is not merely a tool for communication and entertainment; it plays a significant role in shaping public opinion on government policy.

Social Media and the Evolution of Political Communication

Advancements in communication technology have transformed how the public accesses information about politics and governance. Previously, society relied heavily on conventional media like television, radio, and newspapers. Today, information is obtained directly via mobile devices and social media.

In political communication, social media serves as a bridge between the government and the public. The government can use it to explain programs and policies, while the public has a space to provide direct feedback.

This communication dynamic is more interactive than traditional media. Citizens are no longer passive recipients of information; they are now active participants who can share, comment on, and even produce content.

This environment allows social media to influence how the public understands specific issues. Information that is frequently shared, widely discussed, and receives significant attention can encourage the public to evaluate government policies.

Restricting Social Media for Children Under 16

In 2026, the Indonesian government issued Minister of Communication and Digital Regulation Number 9 of 2026, an implementing rule for Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 concerning the Governance of Electronic Systems for Child Protection, or PP TUNAS.

The regulation mandates the restriction of social media account access for children under 16 on high-risk digital platforms. Implementation began in stages on March 28, 2026.

In the initial phase, the policy targeted platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox. The government stated that this policy is part of an effort to enhance child protection against various risks in the digital space.

This policy highlights that technological progress brings both benefits and risks. Digital spaces present dangers to children, ranging from exposure to age-inappropriate content and cyberbullying to online fraud and unhealthy platform usage.

However, public policy almost always invites diverse perspectives. Some groups emphasize the importance of child protection, while others highlight how such policies affect children's access to communication, entertainment, and information.

These differing viewpoints are a natural part of the public opinion formation process.

Social Media Shapes Public Opinion

Public opinion can be understood as the views or perspectives that develop within society regarding a specific issue. These opinions do not emerge in a vacuum; they are influenced by received information, personal experiences, media coverage, government statements, and ongoing public discourse.

In the case of restricting social media access for children, for instance, each group views the policy from a different angle.

Parents may prioritize child safety and protection, while children and young users may focus more on the impact on their daily communication, entertainment, and digital activities.

Social media provides a space for these diverse views to be expressed openly. Comments, videos, posts, and user discussions help increase public awareness of a policy.

When a topic is consistently discussed, the public is encouraged to seek further information regarding the government's rationale, the implementation mechanisms, and the impact on affected groups.

This is where social media demonstrates its significant power in shaping public opinion.

Nevertheless, a high volume of comments or posts on social media does not necessarily represent the views of the entire population. Social media users have diverse characteristics, ages, interests, and backgrounds.

Therefore, opinions developing on social media must be viewed critically and cannot automatically be considered a reflection of the attitudes of all Indonesians.

Social Media as a Space for Aspirations

Social media also provides a broader space for the public to convey aspirations to the government.

While previously, aspirations were mostly channeled through letters, official forums, demonstrations, or mass media, citizens can now express their opinions through various digital platforms.

The public can offer criticism, ask questions, share experiences, or propose suggestions regarding a policy.

Regarding the restriction of social media accounts for children, for example, the public can discuss how age verification mechanisms are conducted, how personal data protection is enforced, and how children can still utilize digital services beneficial for education and personal development.

Aspirations voiced through social media can serve as valuable input for the government to gauge public response to a policy.

However, the freedom to express opinions must be accompanied by responsibility. Criticism is more effective when supported by clear arguments, avoids personal attacks, and is based on verifiable information.

Thus, social media is not just a place to receive political information; it is also a space for public participation in policy discussions.

Challenges of Political Communication on Social Media

The significant role of social media in political communication is not without its challenges.

One major challenge is the spread of unverified information. A video clip, image, screenshot, or headline can spread rapidly without complete context.

If users immediately trust or share such content, misunderstandings regarding a policy can spread widely.

Another challenge is the tendency for debates to devolve into personal attacks. Differences of opinion are natural in a democracy. However, discussions become unproductive when the focus shifts from the substance of the policy to the identity or personality of those with differing views.

The fast-paced nature of social media can also lead to issues being discussed before the public fully understands the regulations. Therefore, the presence of credible information sources is increasingly vital.

In implementing child protection policies in digital spaces, responsibility does not lie solely with the government and the public. Digital platform providers have an obligation to align their services with applicable regulations.

This shows that digital policy involves many stakeholders, including the government, technology companies, the public, parents, and children as users.

The Importance of Open Government Communication

In the implementation of public policy, government communication plays a critical role.

The public needs to receive explanations regarding the purpose of a policy, the basis for its implementation, the affected groups, the execution mechanisms, and how the policy will be evaluated.

Information delivered openly can help the public understand the rationale behind government decisions while reducing the likelihood of misinformation.

Communication should not be one-way. The government needs to provide space for the public to submit questions, criticism, and input.

By listening to feedback from various segments of society, the government can identify issues that arise during policy implementation.

On the other hand, the public also has a responsibility when using social media. Information should be verified before being shared, opinions should be expressed with clear reasoning, and differing perspectives should be respected.

Digital literacy is essential in this context. The ability to identify information sources, distinguish between facts and opinions, and verify the truth of information helps the public take a more rational stance on public issues.

Social Media and Democratic Participation

Ultimately, the presence of social media has expanded the space for political communication.

Citizens have greater opportunities to learn about government policies and respond to them. This creates a faster and more interactive form of communication.

However, the increasing openness of communication spaces also requires responsibility from all parties.

The government requires clear and transparent public communication. Digital platforms require responsible mechanisms. Meanwhile, the public requires the ability to filter information and engage in healthy discussions.

If these three elements function well, social media can contribute positively to public participation in democratic life.

Conclusion

Social media plays an increasingly important role in political communication and the formation of public opinion regarding government policy. Through social media, the public can obtain information quickly, provide feedback, offer criticism, and participate in discussions about the impact of a policy.

The policy restricting social media access for children under 16 on high-risk platforms is an example of how a government decision can generate diverse responses in the public sphere.

Differing views on child protection, freedom of information, technology usage, and government responsibility demonstrate that public opinion is formed through various interests and societal experiences.

However, social media also faces challenges such as the spread of unverified information, lack of context, and debates that can escalate into conflict between users.

Therefore, open government communication must be accompanied by improved public digital literacy. The government must provide information that is clear and easy to understand, while the public must be critical and responsible in receiving and sharing information.

With open communication and responsible social media use, digital platforms can become beneficial spaces for conveying aspirations, increasing public participation, and fostering healthier public discourse.

References

Ministry of Communication and Digital of the Republic of Indonesia. Regulations and information regarding child protection in digital spaces and the implementation of PP TUNAS.

BBC News Indonesia. Information regarding the social media access restriction policy for children in Indonesia.
https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/articles/cvg4ggy9e5no

ANTARA News. Information regarding social media and public aspiration spaces.

Orbit Digital Daily. Discussion regarding communication between the government, media, and the public.
https://orbitdigitaldaily.com/pwi-nagan-raya-minta-bupati-tegaskan-pentingnya-komunikasi-kepala-dinas-dengan-media/

Strata Social and Humanities Studies. Research on social media, communication, and society.
https://journals.stratapersada.com/index.php/sshs/article/download/108/54/509

Gedangrejo Village Government. Social Media as a Platform for Citizen Aspirations and Supporting Development in Gedangrejo Village.
https://desagedangrejo.gunungkidulkab.go.id/first/artikel/100-Media-Sosial-sebagai-Wadah-Aspirasi-Warga-dan-Penunjang-Pembangunan-Desa-Gedangrejo-