The Bullying Epidemic in 2025

The bullying epidemic in 2025 shows that schools should be places where children feel safe and supported. However, in Indonesia, the bullying epidemic has made some classrooms places of fear and insecurity. By 2025, this issue has escalated into a crisis that no longer qualifies as “normal student behavior.”

Teasing with bad words seems like a normal thing nowadays, but it is actually a part of violence and humiliation. As a result, classrooms that must be safe spaces were no longer safe for many students. The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) reports that bullying is still one of the most common issues in schools across the country.

Current Bullying Cases in 2025

The urgency of bullying issues became clear after a series of tragedies in mid-2025:

Blitar, East Java – During the orientation week (MPLS) in July 2025, a junior high school student was beaten by seniors. A video of the incident went viral and caused national outrage. Orientation, which should help students adapt, instead became a stage for abuse.

Garut, West Java – In another case, a high school student died by suicide in mid-July 2025 after long-term bullying. The case led to the temporary suspension of the school principal. This tragedy shows that bullying can cause a suicide.

These incidents show a pattern of bullying in Indonesia. Each case leaves a deep impact, not only on the victims and families but also on society. It reminds us that bullying can happen everywhere.

Systemic Weaknesses Behind the Bullying Epidemic in 2025

There are several reasons why bullying happens continuously:

– Lack of teacher training about conflict handle and psychology of children.

– The bullying victims mostly do not know how to report and fear they will not be heard.

– The hierarchy that was clearly shown during orientation weeks and the abused behavior seem normal.

These kind of gaps show that bullying is not only about bad behavior. It is a structural issue in Indonesia’s education system that demands stronger and more coordinated solutions.

Basic Things That We Can Do to Stop Bullying

To stop bullying, we needs the real action:

– Train teachers in conflict handling and student psychology.

– Provide school counselors and trusted mental health staff.

– Create safe reporting tools for students.

– Have stronger control during orientation weeks to keep them safe and useful.

– Involve local leaders to create safe spaces.

– Schools must be open and accountable.

– Parents should stay close to their children.

– The government must enforce policies.

– Communities must reject the idea that bullying is a “normal” part of growing up.

Bullying is not only a discipline problem. It is a threat to children’s well-being and Indonesia’s future. It harms education, mental health, and the value of respect that schools should teach. When these steps come together, schools can rebuild trust and give the safety that every student needs.

For those aged 19 and above, the role is real. As siblings, role models, or future parents, your role matters. We can help build classrooms where safety is not a privilege but a right by staying and speaking up.

The bullying crisis in Indonesia, from Riau to other regions, shows that classrooms are no longer automatically safe. Each tragedy reminds us that silence and inaction bring serious consequences.

But there is still hope. With early detection, stronger systems, and shared responsibility, schools can once again be safe places of learning and growth. The fight against bullying is not only for students. It is for all of us who care about Indonesia’s future.

Writer: Zulfa Zahro
Editor: Secia Lie