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FORMOSA NEWS

Verbal violence has become a routine part of student interactions at Annur Junior High School in Tanjung Morawa, North Sumatra, according to a 2026 study conducted by Zakaria Siregar and Shanna Aulia Windri from Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara (UISU). Published in the Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani (MUDIMA), the research found that insults, teasing, sarcasm, and family-targeted mockery are deeply embedded in daily communication among students. The findings are significant because they show that verbal bullying is no longer an isolated behavior but a social communication pattern shaped by peer culture, family influences, and digital media exposure.

Why Verbal Violence in Schools Matters

Bullying remains one of the most persistent challenges in Indonesian schools. Previous survey data cited in the study revealed that approximately 72.8% of respondents had experienced bullying, while 87.6% identified verbal abuse as the most common form. Despite its prevalence, verbal bullying is often underreported because many students consider it normal or harmless.

At Annur Junior High School, researchers observed a similar trend. Students frequently used harsh language, insulting nicknames, and degrading jokes during everyday interactions. Over time, these behaviors became accepted as part of the school's social environment rather than being recognized as bullying.

The study highlights a broader concern for educators and policymakers: when verbal violence becomes normalized, students may fail to recognize the emotional and psychological harm it causes.

How the Research Was Conducted

The researchers used a qualitative communication ethnography approach to examine how verbal violence develops and persists within the school environment. They applied Dell Hymes’ SPEAKING model, a framework for analyzing communication patterns within social groups.

Data were collected through:

  • Direct observation of student interactions
  • In-depth interviews
  • Documentation and field records

The study involved five informants, consisting of three students, one homeroom teacher, and one guidance counselor. Researchers analyzed the information through data reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing to identify recurring communication patterns.

Key Findings: Verbal Abuse Is Widespread and Normalized

The study found that verbal violence occurs frequently and has become embedded in students’ daily communication habits. Forms of abuse identified included:

  • Swearing and profanity
  • Physical appearance mockery
  • Sarcastic comments
  • Social status insults
  • Family-related insults

These behaviors occurred both in direct conversations and through digital communication platforms.

Most Common Locations

Researchers found that verbal bullying most frequently occurred in:

  • Classrooms
  • School cafeterias
  • School fields
  • Hallways
  • Areas around restrooms

Incidents were especially common during recess, after-school activities, and other periods with limited teacher supervision.

Friends Often Become Both Perpetrators and Victims

One of the study’s most notable findings is that verbal abuse typically occurs among close friends or classmates. Because students share strong social bonds, many perpetrators believe their comments are harmless jokes. However, victims often experience embarrassment, emotional distress, and reduced self-confidence.

The research also found that bystanders frequently reinforce the behavior by laughing, encouraging the teasing, or joining in. This social approval makes verbal violence appear acceptable and encourages repetition.

Jokes Can Escalate Into Harmful Communication

According to the findings, verbal abuse often begins as casual teasing before gradually escalating into more aggressive insults. When victims react negatively, conflicts can develop into arguments and, in some cases, potential physical confrontations.

Researchers observed that students commonly use humor as a shield for offensive language. Verbal abuse is frequently delivered with laughter or a joking tone, making it difficult for both perpetrators and observers to recognize its harmful effects.

Digital Media Expands the Problem

The study found that verbal violence no longer occurs only face-to-face. Students also engage in bullying through group chats and social media platforms. Digital communication allows abusive messages to spread quickly, remain visible for longer periods, and reach larger audiences.

As a result, victims may face emotional pressure both inside and outside school, increasing the overall impact of the abuse.

School Culture and Family Factors Play a Role

Researchers discovered that many students had become so accustomed to insults and teasing that they no longer viewed them as bullying. This normalization was reinforced by peer approval, limited reporting, and a lack of consistent intervention.

Guidance counselors interviewed during the study also pointed to family influences. Some students came from environments where communication etiquette received little attention, causing negative communication habits to be carried into the school setting.

Implications for Education and Student Well-Being

The findings suggest that addressing verbal violence requires more than punishing individual offenders. Since the behavior is rooted in social norms and communication culture, schools need comprehensive prevention strategies.

Potential interventions include:

  • Strengthening anti-bullying education programs
  • Improving digital literacy and online behavior awareness
  • Encouraging students to report incidents safely
  • Training teachers to identify subtle forms of verbal bullying
  • Building positive communication habits through classroom activities
  • Increasing collaboration between schools and families

By addressing the broader communication environment, schools may be better positioned to reduce bullying and create safer learning spaces.

Researcher Insight

Zakaria Siregar and Shanna Aulia Windri of Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara concluded that verbal violence at Annur Junior High School has evolved into “a recurring social communication pattern” influenced by peer culture, family environments, and digital communication practices rather than simply being individual misconduct.

Their findings emphasize the need for educators, parents, and policymakers to treat verbal bullying as a systemic social issue that requires collective action.

Author Profile

Zakaria Siregar, S.Sos., M.I.Kom.

Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara (UISU)

Field of Expertise: Communication Studies, Social Communication, Media and Educational Communication.

Shanna Aulia Windri, S.I.Kom.

Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara (UISU)

Field of Expertise: Communication Studies, Youth Communication, and Social Interaction Research.

Source

Article Title: Patterns of Verbal Violence in School Environments: An Ethnographic Study of Communication in Annur Junior High School in Tanjung Morawa
Authors: Zakaria Siregar and Shanna Aulia Windri
Journal: Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani (MUDIMA), Vol. 6, No. 6
Publication Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/mudima.v6i6.78