Digital Vulnerability and Social Protection: Rethinking Child Welfare in the Era of Algorithmic Media

Abstract

This study examines Digital Vulnerability and Social Protection: Rethinking Child Welfare in the Era of Algorithmic Media with the objective of developing an integrated understanding of how emerging digital risks reshape child welfare frameworks. Employing a qualitative approach with a case study design, the research is justified by its capacity to explore complex, context-dependent phenomena and capture lived experiences in depth. The study is conducted in the Greater Jakarta area, Indonesia, selected due to its high digital penetration and socio-economic diversity. Data were collected from six key informants, including policymakers, social workers, legal experts, and digital governance specialists, chosen purposively for their expertise and relevance to the research focus. The findings reveal that children face multidimensional vulnerabilities, including algorithmic exposure, data exploitation, and digital inequality, which are insufficiently addressed by existing social protection systems. These results highlight institutional gaps, weak regulatory frameworks, and unequal access to digital resources. The study recommends strengthening adaptive policy frameworks, enhancing digital literacy as a form of social capital, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to ensure more inclusive and responsive child protection mechanisms in the digital era.