Indonesia’s "shame culture" ( gengsi ) plays a massive role in how these scandals are perceived. Because personal personhood is often tied to family reputation and communal standing, a viral scandal is seen not just as an individual failing but as a collective disgrace.
Perhaps most alarming are the cases occurring on campus grounds. In September 2025, two Unej students (University of Jember) were caught in flagrante delicto inside the campus Student Activity Unit room. Worse, investigators found used condoms, and it was alleged they had done this five times in the same spot. Similarly, in June 2026, two male students were caught "making out" at the Polytechnic State Jakarta (PNJ) library, sparking a new layer of discourse regarding LGBTQ+ visibility on Islamic campuses. One of them was an external visitor, exposing the lax security systems on campus.
The law and social norms have not caught up with digital reality. Young adults are exploring intimacy, but they are doing so without digital safety education. No one teaches them that a Snapchat screenshot can end your degree. No one teaches them that your iCloud backup is not private.
Indonesia’s legal framework can be particularly harsh toward those involved in viral scandals, sometimes criminalizing the victims themselves. Indonesia’s "shame culture" ( gengsi ) plays a
Typically, the scenario unfolds like a digital-age morality play. A short, grainy video—often filmed without consent in a boarding house ( kos ), a car, or a public space—leaks onto Twitter (X) or Telegram. The subjects are almost always identifiable by their university attire or student ID card, which is deliberately circulated. Within hours, the woman is labelled a wanita mesum (immoral woman). Her name, faculty, and campus are trending. The public, acting as judge, jury, and executioner, demands expulsion.
: The scandal has affected approximately 27 victims , including 20 students and 7 faculty members.
Sensationalist accounts, often anonymous, amplify these videos to gain engagement. Cultural and Social Issues at Play In September 2025, two Unej students (University of
Analysis of Victim Blaming Culture in Indonesia - ResearchGate
A critical analysis reveals a stark double standard. When a video goes viral, the public narrative quickly turns to the mahasiswi’s character: “She disgraced her parents,” “She brought shame to her university,” “She deserved to be expelled.” The man, if identified, is often framed as a victim of temptation or is simply forgotten.
In 95% of viral cases, the video includes a man. Yet, the public discourse rarely names him. He is referred to as "pria" (man) or "laki-laki" (male). He is rarely expelled from his university (if he is a student). He rarely loses job offers. His face is often blurred by the mob, while the woman's face is shared in HD. One of them was an external visitor, exposing
: Such incidents can lead to broader discussions about education, the role of social media, and the need for more open and honest dialogues about relationships, consent, and sexual health.
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The mahasiswi viral phenomenon highlights several pressing social issues in Indonesia, including:
Articles regarding the distribution of immoral content online have historically been used to criminalize the people appearing in the videos, rather than those who stole and distributed them.