As the world's largest user base, social media has transformed the way Indonesians interact. Conversations that once took place in physical spaces are now instantly transferred to mobile screens, taking place around the clock, and can be viewed by millions of people.
This change comes as social media usage in Indonesia surges. According to Data Reportal's "Digital 2026: Indonesia" report, the average Indonesian user spends more than three hours a day on various social media platforms.
The number of active users is said to have reached around 180 million, or 62.9 percent of the population.
The inevitable consequences:
Every time someone opens a social media app, they're like stepping into a giant, never-ending space. The difference is, this space has no physical boundaries, never closes, and every word spoken can be witnessed, or even judged, by millions of people in a matter of seconds.
This growth in space is Didit's primary focus when examining how the landscape of Indonesian digital interactions has changed in recent years. He believes this surge isn't just a trend, but rather a fundamental shift in how people communicate, build communities, and even influence public policy.
"The activities that occur are not just greeting each other, but have become interactions to get the latest information, discuss, debate, seek entertainment, economic transactions, including forming public opinion," said the former journalist for more than 20 years before entering the commercial communications sector.
Brands, organizations, and even government agencies now consider social media an indispensable external communication channel. However, behind this rapid flow of interaction, Didit warns of an equally real downside: social friction that grows with the increasing volume of digital conversations.
One of the most fundamental shifts, according to him, who once managed the social media outlets for the daily Kompas, is the definition of public space itself. While public space was once limited to physical forums, now every post automatically belongs to a much broader and more difficult-to-control public space.
He cited a case that went viral last August. At that time, a patient complaining about the lack of treatment space was bullied by some healthcare workers. The problem, Didit said, lay in the loss of context. What was initially an outpouring of feelings was interpreted as an attack on the institution where the medical staff worked, leading to a response with insults and insults.
Another issue he believes many users aren't yet aware of is the vulnerability of personal information. Many people don't understand that once a post, including one containing sensitive data, is published, it has the potential to be shared, saved, and even reuploaded by other accounts without the original owner's control.
Didit noted that the average Indonesian user is active on 7.7 platforms per month, a figure he believes indicates a search for more specific niche communities, rather than simply joining a large, generic network. This, he added, was previously difficult because there were no algorithms capable of matching users based on similar keywords and preferences.
But this convenience comes at a price. The high volume of interactions and the lack of context make most conversations shallow, often consisting of one-line comments lacking depth. The fast-moving nature of topics also makes it difficult to maintain focus, as public attention is quickly diverted to the next "hot topic."
The paradox of connectedness: From venting to going viral for justice.
A major question arises: does social media truly unite Indonesian society, or does it divide it? For Didit, the answer is both, which is a paradox.
However, this phenomenon also presents a risky side. The Indonesian Ombudsman even coined the term "viral-based policy" to describe policies that are born or changed solely due to the pressure of virality, rather than through a thorough formulation process. For example, the postponement of Tapera contribut
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