Traditional dances, regional languages, and local folklore frequently go viral on TikTok, repackaged with modern beats and visual editing that appeal to Gen Z and Generation Alpha.
For an ABG in Jakarta, Surabaya, or Bandung, wearing local brands or thrift shop ( baj ) items is increasingly being replaced by the pressure to own international fast fashion or specific sneaker drops. Because status is now visually curated on Instagram and TikTok, the fear of being judged as kampungan (country bumpkin/outdated) is immense.
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Consequently, "ABG" frequently appears in crime reports as either a user or a dealer. In Sleman, Yogyakarta, a 19-year-old ABG worked as a drug courier for two years to support his family, earning only Rp 50,000 per drop-off. In more extreme cases, the exploitation is total. In a 2026 case, a 17-year-old ABG (AAW) was held captive in a North Jakarta apartment by a 50-year-old Chinese national (CH) who produced and sold vapes containing the dangerous sedative etomidate. The teenager was not only a trafficking victim but was also trapped in an environment where drugs were being manufactured.
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K-Pop and K-Dramas dictate fashion, beauty standards, and even language trends among young Indonesians.
The national anti-drug agency (BNN) consistently identifies teenagers as prime targets for drug dealers. Law practitioners note that ABG are extremely vulnerable because of their curiosity and susceptibility to peer pressure. Often, "free samples" or "free drugs" are used as bait to get young people addicted before making them paying customers or, worse, dealers. Can’t copy the link right now
Rote memorization and high-stakes testing dominate the school system, leaving little room for creative development.
Here are some social issues and cultural phenomena in Indonesia: