The algorithm favors outrage. A video of a couple hugging in a Jakarta busway or kissing in a Bandung alleyway is ripped from its original context, reposted by "info" accounts, and dissected by millions. Within hours, the couple’s faces become widespread; within days, their school is identified, and their parents are summoned.
In a high-pressure society where academic achievement is often the only metric of success, social media offers an alternative stage. A viral video makes them "someone" for 15 minutes. This points to a significant social issue: The dopamine hit from a viral video can outweigh the potential social stigma of being labeled "a problematic teenager." The algorithm favors outrage