If you were anywhere near Indonesian social media in 2021—particularly on Twitter (now X), TikTok, or Instagram—you would have witnessed one of the most hilarious and sharp digital cultural wars: the clash between Anak SMP (junior high schoolers) and Bocah SD (elementary school kids). While both are technically children, their lifestyles, entertainment choices, and online behavior in 2021 were galaxies apart.

This article dissects the phenomenon, exploring why 2021 became the pivotal year where these two groups diverged so dramatically, and what it says about Indonesian youth culture in the post-pandemic era. First, we must understand the backdrop. In 2021, Indonesia was still deep in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools were closed, Pembelajaran Jarak Jauh (PJJ) / remote learning was the norm, and children of all ages spent 8–12 hours a day glued to smartphones and laptops. Without physical school boundaries, the digital space became the primary playground—and battlefield.

And that, perhaps, is the most 2021 thing of all. 🧃📱

By: Cultural Desk