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Facts About Child Bullying in Indonesia and Educational Games to Improve Children's Empathy
- dg toys
- Dec 17, 2025
- 2 min read
Bullying is a serious problem that continues to arise, especially in schools and homes. Cases of violence are not only physical, but also verbal and social. Data shows that cases of violence against children are still very high, and most occur in places where children should feel safe.
The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) noted that in early 2024, 35% of all reported cases of child abuse occurred in schools. Overall, the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) recorded 573 cases of violence occurring in educational settings throughout 2024, indicating that existing prevention efforts have not been effective.
These cases have long-term effects. Victims of bullying in elementary school are prone to excessive anxiety, feelings of worthlessness, depression, and a drop in academic performance.
The Importance of Role-Playing in Enhancing Empathy
To stop the cycle of bullying, a solution is needed that addresses the root causes, which are a lack of empathy (the ability to feel other people's feelings) and assertiveness (the ability to defend oneself and dare to say “no” without getting angry or afraid). Why is role-playing effective? The reason is simple:
1. Learning by Doing
Children learn social skills, such as empathy, through observation and direct practice. In role-playing, children are made to experience being the victim, the perpetrator, or the witness.
2. Training Program
This activity began with education about bullying through materials and cartoon animations. The animations told stories about bullying behavior so that children could better understand by seeing real examples. After ensuring that the children understood the material well, the second material was presented, which was about empathy and assertive behavior.
3. By Playing Games
Research also shows that integrating role-playing into interactive games (such as snakes and ladders) significantly increases elementary school children's anti-bullying awareness and social skills. Interactive games not only increase children's awareness of bullying, but also help develop social skills such as empathy, cooperation, and self-control.
DG Toys continues to innovate to produce toys that serve as fun and repeatable playful learning toys. Role-playing toys such as the Dress Up and Play Game categories are the perfect platform for social simulation. Children can use paper dolls or game cards to practice story scenarios, practice assertive dialogue, and understand the feelings of victims. This allows for the organic instilling of moral values, without the resistance found in formal classrooms.
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