Changes in bullying behavior through agents of change using the balinese fable animation "Tat Twam Asi" in Jembrana regency

Bullying was a pervasive and urgent issue, often referred to as an iceberg phenomenon, with many cases remaining hidden beneath the surface. Its consequences, including mental health deterioration, physical harm, and, in extreme cases, death, highlighted the critical need for effective intervention, particularly among adolescents. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of change agents—students empowered to influence their peers—using the Balinese fable animation «Tat Twam Asi» to reduce bullying behavior in schools. A mixed-methods approach was employed. The qualitative phase focused on the development of change agents through animation media, empha- sizing cultural relevance and student engagement. This was followed by a quantitative phase, involving 930 students across 23 selected schools. A one-group pre-test and post-test design was implemented to assess changes in students’ understanding of bullying before and after the intervention. The analysis was conduct- ed in two stages and statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, following a normality test of the data. The intervention using the «Tat Twam Asi» animation significantly improved students’ understanding of bullying. This improvement was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The use of culturally grounded animation media to develop change agents proved effective in enhancing students’ awareness and bullying prevention behaviors. This type of intervention had not previously been implemented in Indonesian elementary schools, particularly in Bali, and showed promising results.