Explosion at State High School 72 Jakarta

Early last month, on Friday afternoon, November 7, 2025, SMA Negeri 72 Jakarta in Kelapa Gading transformed from a place of learning into a blast zone. A homemade bomb exploded. There were no fatalities, but at least dozens of people were injured, dozens of whom were students who are now being treated in the hospital.

The explosion not only damaged the building physically, but also shook the public's belief that schools are safe places for children. That sense of security was shattered with the explosion.

The perpetrator turned out to be a student himself. A teenage boy. He was not part of a radical network. According to police, the perpetrator assembled the bombs from materials purchased online. Some of the bombs were not even detonated because he was injured by the initial explosion.

The perpetrator's motivation is still being investigated. However, it is likely a complex mix of emotional pain, loneliness, and a feeling of being unheard. Police say the perpetrator had no outlet to express his feelings.

The Director of General Criminal Investigation (Dirreskrimum) of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Senior Commissioner Iman Imanuddin, stated that based on the investigation, the perpetrator is suspected of experiencing emotional stress and feelings of isolation from his environment.

"The person concerned felt alone and had no place to express his concerns, either within his family, school, or social circle," he explained.

It is possible he was a victim of bullying, although this remains unclear. What is clear is that the perpetrator actively accessed the dark web and watched extreme violence.

According to AB. Widyanta, a lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), psychological stress in a child does not arise suddenly, but rather results from the accumulation of social problems that have accumulated and become internalized. The impact of bullying can be profound and personal.

"What he felt was hurt, deep anger, and a desire for revenge. This led to aggression triggered by the experience of bullying," Widyanta said, as reported on the official UGM website.

He also highlighted the failure of families, schools, and the state to meet children's emotional needs. The apparent absence of these three institutions opens a gap for the influx of digital violence. "This child is a victim. He grew up in an ecosystem that reproduces violence," he explained.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that the perpetrator was not purely a victim of bullying, but was inspired by violent online content. This statement has sparked debate. Is it true that viewing violence can be the primary trigger?

Or does violent content enter because there is a psychological and social gap that is left unchecked? This case shows that schools are no longer safe spaces. At least, not for all children.

If a student can bring a homemade bomb to school without being detected, it indicates lax school supervision. If another student is injured by the explosion, it is evidence of neglected risk mitigation. And if a student feels they have no place to speak, then the school has failed to create a psychosocial protection system.

Now, many students at SMA 72 are experiencing trauma. Some want to change schools out of fear. The Ministry of Social Affairs and the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) have intervened and promised psychosocial rehabilitation programs.

The government has identified online games as one of the triggers. President Prabowo Subianto has even stated that he will restrict online games deemed to incite violence.

One of the games mentioned is PUBG, a battle royale game from South Korea. However, the Korean government has denied any involvement. They stated there is no evidence of PUBG's involvement in this incident.

Secretary of Commission E of the Jakarta Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD), Justin Adrian Untayana, called the discourse on restricting online games too reactive and tending to seek scapegoats.

"Previously, when there were stabbing cases, films were blamed. Now, because there are games, games are being blamed," he said, as quoted by Media Indonesia.

Education observers Ina Liem and Retno Listyarti, as reported by VOI, agree that violent content does have the potential to influence children to repeat similar acts. However, online games cannot be the primary scapegoat for violent behavior in children.

In Ina Liem's ​​view, the root of the problem of violence against children does not lie solely in online games. She believes that a lack of supervision, communication, and social support around children can actually be contributing factors. Therefore, no matter how strict gaming regulations are, children will turn to other forms of escape if these factors are not addressed.

Meanwhile, education and child observer Retno Listyarti highlighted the parenting patterns in schools that have not been implemented effectively.