RRI.CO.ID, SAmarinda - The Provincial Administration of East Kalimantan is pivoting its focus toward the rising tide of digital aggression, launching a robust mitigation strategy to shield women from the escalating threat of cyberbullying.

Recognizing that the virtual landscape has become a primary battlefield for harassment, the regional authorities are calling for a shift in how society engages online, emphasizing that digital safety is now an inseparable component of public welfare.

Head of the East Kalimantan Regional Technical Service Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (UPTD PPA), Kholid Budhaeri, highlighted the urgency of the situation in Samarinda on Friday, May 15, 2026.

"We see that the trend of harassment on social media is increasingly worrying, so massive education regarding internet ethics is needed," Kholid said,framing the issue as a critical social challenge rather than a mere technicality, as quoted by Antara.

He clarified that cyber harassment is far more than simple teasing, describing it instead as a systematic behavior capable of inflicting profound, real-world psychological damage on victims.

Field data analyzed by the UPTD PPA reveals a spectrum of digital abuse ranging from aggressive online arguments to doxing, the unauthorized distribution of personal information intended to humiliate individuals. These attacks frequently devolve into hate speech targeting specific ethnicities, religions, and races. Kholid issued a stern reminder that these actions carry heavy legal weight under the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law.

"There are criminal sanctions and heavy fines for anyone proven to have committed intimidation or defamation in the virtual world," he warned.

To combat these threats, the UPTD PPA provides specific tactical advice for those targeted by online predators. Victims are urged to resist the urge to retaliate, as engaging with perpetrators often escalates the conflict. Instead, the agency recommends immediate documentation.

Kholid advised that the necessary course of action for victims is to immediately collect evidence in the form of screenshots of harassing comments or messages. Once documented, users should promptly block the offending accounts and report them to the respective social media platforms.

Beyond legal and technical maneuvers, the provincial administration is emphasizing the importance of emotional resilience and community support. Kholid urged victims not to suffer in silence, advocating for transparency with trusted circles.

"Support from family, friends, or teachers is the main foundation in restoring the psychological condition of someone affected by digital bullying," he noted.

For those facing trauma beyond their personal coping capacity, the agency strongly recommends seeking professional psychological assistance. The UPTD PPA Kaltim remains committed to providing direct assistance to women and children navigating these digital crises. "Building empathy in cyberspace is the key to creating peace and harmony in everyday real life," Kholid concluded. ***