Law Enforcement Against Perpetrators of Cyberbullying Crimes in Indonesia

Abstract

Cyberbullying is a form of digital aggression that can damage a person’s dignity, psychological condition, social relations, and economic interests. Its legal treatment in Indonesia is not based on a single offence specifically named cyberbullying, but is distributed across several criminal provisions according to the form and consequences of the conduct. This study aims to examine the legal regulation of cyberbullying and the enforcement of criminal liability against its perpetrators in Indonesia. The research uses normative juridical methods with a statutory approach and a conceptual approach. Primary legal materials include the 1945 Constitution, the Electronic Information and Transactions Law as amended, the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, the Personal Data Protection Law, child protection regulations, and the 2026 Witness and Victim Protection Law. Secondary legal materials consist of books and relevant scientific journal articles. The analysis shows that Article 29 in conjunction with Article 45B of the ITE Law remains particularly relevant to cyberbullying involving direct threats of violence or intimidation, while acts of defamation after the entry into force of the new Criminal Code are assessed under the Criminal Code. Other forms may intersect with provisions on hate-related conduct, coercion, unlawful use of personal data, and child protection. Law enforcement therefore requires careful qualification of the act, preservation of electronic evidence, proportionality, and victim-oriented protection. Strengthening coordination among law enforcement agencies, platforms, families, schools, and victim-protection institutions is needed to provide legal certainty and meaningful recovery.