It is natural for people to seek a sense of belonging. That makes peer approval as something we desire. Unfortunately, as the world enters the digital era where it seems to be no limit to almost everything, one bad habit has formed in the society. It is a tendency for us to depend on digital approval to feel good.

Youth are a group of people known to be using internet the most. Through various online platforms, we are not only able to access knowledgeable stuff, but also to see the life of others. One thing we usually forget is what we see are only the things people wanted to show us. Not knowing how the real situations are, we feel pressured to appear as “perfect” as everyone else. Here is when we started to place our self worth in the hands of others.

It became an unhealthy behaviour where a deeper sense of connection with others is replaced with shallow behaviours that produce dopamine and a dystopian reward loop in human bodies which is similar to addiction.

A single like given to our post suddenly has the ability to make us feel good about ourselves. We are addicted to that kind of thing, where it seems like the world has validated our existence. None of these things are needed. In fact, what we need is healthier ways to connect with others to avoid the abyss of unhealthy social isolation.

If not handled properly, this might lead to any form of cyberbullying. This is caused by the jealousy developed in oneself when seeing the life of others online. The acts could be sending hate messages, spreading bad rumours, creating fake accounts, or even hacking and stealing other people’s personal information, which considered as the acts of cyber crime. If these things happened, there are legal actions that should be taken in order to protect the victim’s rights and mental health. 

Youth IGF Indonesia as an organization that aspires to build a safer internet especially for the youth, realized this unhealthy habit as one dangerous phenomenon in this country. The initiative recognized by UN-IGF then created bully.id as a project to help young people struggling with cyberbullying issues. 

This project mainly aims to protect the youth from cyberbullying. 

Using YouTube as one of the most frequently accessed platforms by youth nowadays, bully.id already uploaded a video contains a series of interviews of Indonesian young people including the 2nd Runner Up of Miss Indonesia 2019, Sharon Margriet Sumolang, and their experiences with cyberbullying. Besides, they can also be found sharing messages to stand up against every acts of cyberbullying on the video. Intended for the public, the video is accessible through this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90lzxzBLTY4. 

By the presence of bully.id, young people are expected to learn more about the internet and how to use it properly, also to avoid and decrease numerous acts of cyberbullying. The project also provides professionals to give confidential emotional support and legal assistance for cyberbullying victims. 

With bully.id as a generous movement from Youth IGF Indonesia, hopefully the youth of Indonesia gain more and more awareness about this happening issue. 


“Not all forms of abuse leave bruises. Until our society recognizes cyberbullying for what it is, the suffering of thousands of silent victims will continue.”, Agita Pasaribu (Founder of Bully.id, Youth IGF Ambassador for Indonesia and the TaC-Together Against Cybercrime Intl. Coordinator for Youth IGF Global Movement in APAC Region).


Have you ever being bullied and cyber-bullied? Share your stories by put hashtag #BullyidDigitallyKind, our psychologist expert and legal consultant will reach you out!

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Providing Bullying and Cyberbullying Victims with "Legal Assistance" & "Emotional Support"

Agita Pasaribu is the founder of Bullyid Indonesia.  She has been advocating for progressive youth-related policies at a number of diplomatic and international forums and have contributed to empowerment initiatives through youth-led non-profits within ASEAN and globally for over 8 years.

Invited to speak at TEDxTalk about her informal academic experiences in 26 countries, she reads Criminal Law at Universitas Indonesia and an Asia-Europe scholar from the Asia Europe Institute, University of Malaya, where she holds her M.A in International Relations-ASEAN Studies focusing on open data policy, open government partnership, cyberspace in Southeast Asia.

Her biggest interests are utilizing technology to solve deep social issues worldwide and benefiting the most vulnerable in society. She is passionate in developing IT projects for Social Good, which includes technology implementations for children, youth, women empowerment, education, digital literacy and dignity.

Currently part of Humanitarian Affairs Working Group Member at the UN Major Group for Children & Youth and International Women’s Committee at the International Organization for Security and Intelligence (IOSI) and the ITU-Indonesia Concern Forum.

Apart of her international experience, she aims to improve ICT involvements in various sectors globally and envisions to take the youth empowerment agenda forward while focusing on SDGs parallel to the UN’s missions.

hello@agitapasaribu.com | www.agitapasaribu.com

#BullyidDigitallyKind

Providing Bullying and Cyberbullying Victims with "Legal Assistance" & "Emotional Support"

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Tentang Kampanye

It is natural for people to seek a sense of belonging. That makes peer approval as something we desire. Unfortunately, as the world enters the digital era where it seems to be no limit to almost everything, one bad habit has formed in the society. ...