Mapping Online Harassment through the Lens of Indonesian Digital Natives and their Perceptions of Mitigation

Introduction Indonesia’s rapid digital transformation has reshaped the social environment, particularly for digital natives. With more than 80% of the population frequently utilizing numerous online platforms, the prevalence of online harassment, including cyberbullying and gender-based violence, doxxing, and hate speech, has created a hazardous environment. This paper aimed to investigate the patterns of online harassment that young people in Indonesia are exposed to and to explore the factors they recognize as important for addressing the issue and protecting themselves in the future. Methods The research was designed as a descriptive survey, with questionnaire data obtained from 400 university students across Indonesia. The questionnaire measured exposure to types of online harassment, psychological impact, media-use patterns, and perceived mitigation strategies. Results TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter/X were most frequently associated with harassment; respondents reported notable psychological harm and technology-facilitated sexual violence. Media literacy and digital-security awareness were only moderate, and Indonesia’s high-context communication norms were associated with underreporting and reactive protection strategies. Discussion The participants were highly engaged in online entertainment and social interaction; however, the levels of media literacy and digital security awareness were moderate. Moreover, the study’s findings reveal how cultural behavior, particularly Indonesia’s high-context mentality, may promote low reporting and protection-reactive attitudes. Conclusion The data analysis frequently identified risk-reduction procedures favored by young people, such as enhancing digital literacy, improving platform accountability, and establishing peer-supported systems to supplement inadequate online education environments. Additionally, the findings suggest the immediate need to enhance digital security measures and create educational and policy programs to create safer online spaces tailored to the needs of digital natives.