The Urgency of Regulating Digital Psychosocial Services for Postpartum Mothers in Fulfilling Reproductive Health Rights Meti Sulastri
Fakultas Hukum, Universitas Islam Bandung
Fakultas Kesehatan, Universitas Bhakti Kencana Tasikmalaya
Abstract
The high prevalence of postpartum psychological disorders, such as baby blues and postpartum depression, poses a serious threat to breastfeeding success and overall maternal well-being. Amid limited access to conventional mental health services, digital psychosocial interventions have emerged through mobile applications, social media, and online communities. While these platforms offer accessible support, most operate outside formal legal oversight and standardized clinical guidelines. The absence of specific regulations governing service quality, information accuracy, ethical responsibility, and personal data protection creates significant risks for postpartum mothers as vulnerable users. This study aims to examine the urgency of regulating digital psychosocial services for postpartum women in context of reproductive health rights. Using a qualitative method with juridical-empirical approach, the research combines normative legal analysis with insights from interviews involving postpartum mothers, health professionals, and legal experts. Findings indicate substantial gap between the growing demand for digital support and the lack of legal safeguards that ensure safety, accountability, and rights protection. The study concludes that developing a national regulatory framework for digital psychosocial services is essential to align technological innovation with legal certainty. Such regulation is part of the state responsibility to uphold maternal and child health as a fundamental aspect of reproductive rights.
