: Before the ban, a major social issue in schools was "phubbing" (phone-snubbing)—where students would ignore friends in person to scroll through feeds during recess, leading to a noticeable decline in face-to-face social skills.
The worst social issue hidden behind kelakuan is the mental breakdown .
The traditional culture of nongkrong (hanging out) has evolved. While once a simple way to foster friendship, modern nongkrong culture can bring significant peer pressure.
In Indonesia, the term "ABG SMA" refers to teenagers (Adolescence) in Senior High School (SMA), a critical phase of life where individuals transition from adolescence to young adulthood. During this period, they face various challenges, and their behaviors, or "kelakuan," are often scrutinized by society. The term "kelakuan ABG SMA" has become a popular topic of discussion in Indonesian social media, with many expressing concerns about the behaviors exhibited by this age group. This article aims to explore the complexities surrounding "kelakuan ABG SMA" and its implications on Indonesian social issues and culture.
In regions like Yogyakarta, the phenomenon of klithih —underage motorbike gangs attacking random bystanders at night—has shifted from traditional school rivalries into random, nihilistic street violence. Sociologists link this behavior to a lack of safe public spaces, broken family dynamics, and a desperate search for belonging and adrenaline. Cultural Friction: The Clash of Values
Several social issues are associated with "kelakuan ABG SMA," including:
The government must put pressure on social media platforms to better moderate dangerous content, from how-to guides for violence to the sale of illegal goods. Meanwhile, parent-teacher associations can conduct workshops to help families implement healthy screen time limits, use parental controls, and recognize the signs of online predation or radicalization.
Constant exposure to curated, perfect lives on platforms like Instagram and TikTok is fueling a mental health crisis among teens. A 2025 study found a significant positive correlation between social media usage intensity and anxiety levels in high school students. A survey by Indonesia's Child Welfare Foundation revealed that 84% of high schoolers use social media daily, with nearly 1 in 5 (18.6%) having experienced cyberbullying. The psychological consequences include social anxiety, feelings of worthlessness, and, in extreme cases, suicidal ideation. This digital pressure-cooker environment makes teens both vulnerable to and capable of extreme acts.
In November 2025, a high school girl named "Bunga" was allegedly gang-raped by six of her male classmates in Kota Banjar. The attack reportedly occurred after the group consumed alcohol at one of the perpetrator's homes. A similar case in Nunukan saw an 18-year-old male student arrested for allegedly molesting his 15-year-old girlfriend from a different school, who was later pressured by her family to report the incident after they found her returning home late at night.
Previously, romance was subtle— surat cinta (love letters) passed through friends, stolen glances at the kantin , and marriage as the implied end goal.
The phrase “kelakuan ABG SMA” (the behavior of high school teens) frequently trends across Indonesian social media, headlines, and family dinner conversations. In Indonesian culture, ABG ( Anak Baru Gede , literally "newly grown children") refers to adolescents navigating the turbulent transition from childhood to adulthood.
Parents complain that anak sekarang tidak tahu sopan santun . However, psychologists argue this isn't malice; it is a cultural lag where digital etiquette has outpaced traditional social contracts.
Understanding the "why" behind these behaviors is crucial for developing effective solutions. Experts point to a complex interplay of psychological, familial, and societal factors that have created fertile ground for juvenile delinquency.
Inter-school street fights involving weapons. This is a decades-old systemic issue that treats violence as a rite of passage or a matter of school "honor."