The Urgency of Legal Regulation in Response to Advances in Information Technology in Indonesia

Abstract

The advancement of information technology has expanded public communication, while also creating opportunities for cyberbullying that may harm a person’s dignity, privacy, and psychological well-being. Bullying through social media, messaging applications, or digital platforms can occur repeatedly, spread rapidly, and leave digital traces that are difficult to remove. This study aims to examine the legal framework governing cyberbullying in Indonesia and assess law enforcement and the protection available to victims. It employs normative legal research using statutory and conceptual approaches. Primary legal materials include legislation on electronic information and transactions, child protection, personal data protection, and national criminal law. Secondary materials consist of relevant legal books and scholarly journal articles. The materials are analyzed qualitatively by interpreting legal norms and connecting them with concepts of criminal liability and victim protection. The study finds that cyberbullying has not been formulated as one independent criminal offense in Indonesian legislation. Depending on the conduct and the elements established, related acts may fall within provisions concerning insult or defamation, threats, certain forms of harmful content, violence against children, or misuse of personal data. This framework requires law enforcement officials to apply statutory provisions carefully and avoid treating every online dispute as a criminal offense. Effective regulation must be supported by reliable electronic evidence, victim protection, digital literacy, and coordination among relevant institutions.