The internet is a place where people can hide behind their screens, doing whatever they want, whenever they want, on whichever platform they choose.
When it comes to cyberbullying, anyone can become a target.
From ordinary people who happen to be on the wrong side of the internet at the wrong time, to celebrities who spark debate, to high-profile figures who catch the attention of netizens.
Even monarchs and heads of state are not immune to online bullying.
This includes Erina Sofia Gudono, an Indonesian model, educator, and beauty pageant titleholder, who also happens to be the daughter-in-law of Indonesia's President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.
Erina Gudono, born in December 1996, was crowned Puteri Indonesia Yogyakarta Special Region in 2022. Representing the Yogyakarta Special Region in the Puteri Indonesia 2022 competition, she secured a spot in the Top 11.
But Erina's achievements go far beyond external beauty. She earned her undergraduate degree in economics from Gadjah Mada University and holds a master's degree in Public Administration from Columbia University.
Her accomplishments include serving as a delegate at the 2022 Harvard World Model United Nations, winning the Business Project Competition in Tokyo, and taking first place in both the National Business Plan Competition and the AIESEC Social Initiative Competition.
Additionally, Erina received the Most Social Spirited Scholar award in the UGM FEB Award activities.
Her talents are not confined to academics—Erina is also a polyglot, fluent in Bahasa Indonesia, Javanese, English, Japanese, and French.
She even has the rare ability to write in Javanese script, a skill that proves challenging even for many native Javanese speakers.
Long story short, Erina is a multi-talented woman with natural beauty.
However, her life took a dramatic turn when she married Kaesang Pangarep, the youngest son of President Joko Widodo.
As the daughter-in-law of the president, her privileges increased significantly.
Now, amidst the political instability in Indonesia, particularly with her husband's bid for governor—a situation many see as a "nepo-baby" scenario where he allegedly leveraged his father's influence—the public outcry has grown louder.
The bullying isn't limited to Kaesang; it also targets Erina. Among the hurtful comments directed at the president's daughter-in-law are insults about her alleged body odor.
Erina found herself the subject of public attention and online mockery after a photo of her visiting a school went viral, showing a child covering his nose.
The photo, originally uploaded by Erina herself in an Instagram post during her visit to Wisma Kasih Bunda by Avantie Foundation in Semarang, Central Java, became a focal point when someone made an accusation about her body odor. People quickly linked this viral image to the allegation.
Speculation soon spread about her personal hygiene, particularly concerning her armpit odor. Netizens began circulating screenshots and images where people appeared to be closing their noses in Erina's presence.
Her husband, Kaesang, wasn’t spared either, with some even alleging that he has an armpit fetish.
The situation further escalated when Shania Binti Mahir Hamdun, a fellow finalist from the Puteri Indonesia pageant, added fuel to the fire. Shania claimed that not only were the rumors about Erina's armpits true, but also that her feet had an odor as well. This statement intensified the online frenzy and mixed reactions from the public.
"Disclaimer: The person in question really has body odor and armpit smell. This is a fact. Please don’t ask about this through direct messages anymore. I’m tired of answering questions about this person," Shania wrote on her Instagram Story.
"Before, I was accused of not accepting the results, but now the whole of Indonesia knows the facts about how shady and stinky that person is," Shania added.
"Now, one by one, that person's true nature is being exposed. So, draw your own conclusions about whether everything they've done up to now is genuine or just for show. Is it sincere or just for validation?"
Following the protest on August 22, when many Indonesians gathered in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) to oppose the government’s potential passing of a law allowing Kaesang Pangarep to participate in the 2024 Central Java gubernatorial election, Erina became the target of even more ridicule.
Social media users in Indonesia mocked Erina for being materialistic, accusing her of becoming hedonistic after marrying the president's son. Critics pointed to her purchase of an expensive stroller and a pricey loaf of bread during a vacation to the U.S. with Kaesang.
The couple was also criticized for using a private jet for their trip, which further fueled accusations of lavish spending and privilege.
One of the most direct mockeries came from a TikTok user known as alyttlebit, whose real name is Alya Dalila.
She launched a full attack, accusing Erina of pretending to be Nana Mirdad, an Indonesian celebrity often compared to Erina for showcasing a luxurious lifestyle on social media.
Alya criticized Erina for flaunting her wealth, especially during such a politically tense time in Indonesia.
"Nobody envies you," Alya said bluntly.
Instead, she claimed, Indonesians pity her for having a husband who still relies on his father for a job.
Alya went on to question Kaesang's capabilities, implying that he lacked the skills to succeed without his father’s influence.
Her insults escalated as she labeled Erina a "mediocre Javanese woman" whose privilege meant nothing without being married to the president’s son.
Despite the harshness of Alya's words, her TikTok video quickly gained traction, drawing significant attention and amusement from many who found her candid insults captivating.