Findings reveal that (a) curiosity and peer‑pressure are the strongest predictors of participation; (b) the vernacular “mantap” functions as a linguistic safety valve that recasts risky conduct as playful bravado; and (c) while many participants report short‑term excitement and a sense of belonging, they also experience anxiety, digital‑footprint concerns, and occasional exploitation. The paper concludes with recommendations for educators, platform designers, and policymakers aimed at fostering digital‑literacy curricula that respect adolescent agency while mitigating harm.
Participants reported (excitement, belonging) but also long‑term concerns (privacy leakage, parental discovery, potential grooming). The dual nature mirrors findings from Koon & Kwon (2020) on “digital risk paradoxes”: adolescents are simultaneously drawn to and wary of the same platforms. Ometv Abg Sange Emng Mantap03-33 Min
Future research should longitudinally track participants to assess on sexual identity formation, and expand the scope beyond Indonesia to examine cross‑cultural variations in slang‑mediated digital sexual behaviour. Findings reveal that (a) curiosity and peer‑pressure are