The phenomenon of bullying among children and youth in Indonesia has become a cultural fact that unwittingly has occurred. 5-10 years ago bullying only occurred when we meet face to face with our friends, or when a new group of people met. But now, with the higher and more widespread use of social media, the act of a bullying has been increased to a vastly wider area. The impact of social media bullying, or cyber bullying as it is known, is much more significant for the victims, and quite often the perpetrator does not realize that he/she has been “bullying” others.
Agitated by this phenomena, a group of youths calling themselves the “Sudah Dong” community, began to make a massive campaign on social media with the theme ‘Danger of Bullying’. This movement was initiated by Katyana Ward in July 2014. The movement is growing and moving through volunteers throughout Indonesia. To date, about 800 volunteers have joined this community and now, this anti-bullying movement has penetrated into schools and communities.
In order to achieveits mission to stop bullying in Indonesia Sudah Dong visited Rumah Belajar Duri Kepa on March 2nd, 2016. With the purpose of explaining to the students that all Indonesian youths can learn to appreciate each other and their differences both physical and material. A total of 24 students from class 1 Package B (junior grade 1) followed this campaign.
The students were challenged to understand the actual act of bullying that they may have ever been part of. They were also taught that there are many types of bullying such as physical bullying, verbal bullying, (name–calling), relational bullying, and cyber bullying. In addition, the students were also given understanding that the impact of bullying can be fatal to the victim by causing things such as stress and depression, and even suicide. At the close, the students were taught to behave anytime and anywhere.
At the end of the session the students were given gifts of school bags, dictionaries and guide books against bullying from Sudah Dong. The volunteers hope the students can remind each other of what they have learned when bullying occurs, especially in the classroom and around their school. They can share knowledge through the book. Sometimes we are confused when we want to take part as a volunteer, how, and what to do. This type of sharing could form a benchmark for other volunteers, to help take part in the development of a nation through a positive direction.