A Comparative Legal Analysis of Cyberbullying Among Children on TikTok in Indonesia and Singapore

Authors

  • Bintang Mas Wahyu Esa Suryo Universitas Negeri Surabaya
  • Nabilla Desyalika Putri Universitas Negeri Surabaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35879/jik.v20i2.725

Keywords:

cyberbullying, TikTok, Indonesia, Singapore, child protection, online safety regulation

Abstract

The rapid growth of algorithm-driven platforms such as TikTok has expanded children's opportunities for interaction while intensifying risks of cyberbullying, including insults, threats, doxxing, stalking, and other digital harassment. In Indonesia, protection is dispersed across the ITE Law, Criminal Code, and Child Protection Law, leaving no dedicated framework that comprehensively defines child cyberbullying or regulates prevention, response, and recovery. This study compares Indonesia and Singapore in defining, preventing, and responding to child cyberbullying on TikTok and assesses how Indonesia can strengthen regulation within the ASEAN framework. Using normative legal research with legislative and comparative approaches, the study finds that Indonesia has legal bases for addressing cyberbullying but relies on a fragmented, offence-based model. Singapore adopts a more integrated and victim-focused approach through the Protection from Harassment Act 2014 and the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act 2025, covering harassment, doxxing, stalking, image-based child abuse, and impersonation. Indonesia meets several standards under the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action for the Protection of Children from All Forms of Online Exploitation and Abuse, but implementation gaps remain. Indonesia should harmonise definitions, strengthen specialised institutions and reporting systems, improve victim recovery and digital literacy, and increase platform accountability.

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Published

2026-08-09

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