Indonesian adolescents face serious challenges in understanding their bodies, emotions, and relationships. While sexual information is easily accessible on the internet, the majority of teenagers unfortunately do not receive accurate and safe education from either their families or formal educational institutions. Sexuality education remains a taboo topic in many communities. As a result, young people turn to unverified sources—such as social media, online videos, or peer conversations—which often reinforce myths, normalize violence, and promote unhealthy relationships.

Without proper understanding, many adolescents struggle to distinguish between affection and manipulation, lack awareness of personal boundaries (consent), and do not know how to build healthy, respectful relationships. Many also become trapped in early marriage or face unintended pregnancies due to a lack of knowledge about their bodies and sexual rights.

In response to these concerns, two Master's students in Community Nursing at the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia (FoN UI), I Made Dyanta Anwar and Reztika Cahyani, created SimuLove—an innovative board game that delivers sexuality and healthy relationship education in an interactive, empathetic, and engaging way.

SimuLove mengajak remaja untuk belajar melalui permainan yang dikembangkan dari teori cinta Sternberg. Inovasi ini tidak hanya menyampaikan informasi, tetapi juga membuka ruang aman untuk berdiskusi—sesuatu yang langka dalam konteks sosial saat ini.

"SimuLove is our effort to give control back to adolescents. They have the right to know, the right to ask questions, and the right to feel safe when talking about their bodies and relationships," said Dyanta.

This innovation was implemented in Mulyorejo and Sukun Gempol sub-districts, Malang City, from January to April 2025. The results were tangible—participating adolescents showed improved understanding, greater confidence in asking questions, and active engagement in discussions. The program was supported by over 30 facilitators from various universities and local community partners, and it has now been entrusted to local stakeholders for sustainable use.

SimuLove doesn't stop there. This innovation is set to be replicated in several other locations, including Manggarai Sub-district in South Jakarta (through the KEPMAS UI Program), Atambua in East Nusa Tenggara (through the PMKI Program), and is currently being developed into digital and metaverse versions to reach even more adolescents across Indonesia.

The strength of the SimuLove innovation gained national recognition at the 2024 KPP Mining Youth in Action, a community engagement competition that attracted over 600 proposals from across Indonesia. The SimuLove team secured funding of IDR 20 million from PT Kalimantan Prima Persada (KPP), emerged as the only team representing Universitas Indonesia, and won 3rd Place for Best Implementation and 1st Place for Best Video Implementation.

“This achievement is truly something to be proud of. We hope it serves as motivation for other students to keep creating, innovating, and making a real impact in the community,” said Dr. Kuntarti, S.Kp., M.Biomed., Manager of Education and Student Affairs at the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia.

This success would not have been possible without the strong academic guidance of Mrs. Sali Rahadi Asih, Ph.D., Psychologist, Head of the Research Group Toward Healthy Body Mind and Sexuality, who ensured that this educational approach was grounded in scientific research and adolescent developmental psychology. SimuLove is more than just a student achievement—it is a powerful example of how community nursing–based innovation can directly address social issues and create real impact.

"We hope that the public—parents, teachers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers—can see the importance of creating safe spaces for adolescents to learn about sexuality and relationships," said Dyanta. "With the right approach, sex education is not just protective, it’s empowering."

FoN UI continues to provide full support to its students in developing innovations, both through academic and non-academic activities—including in the field of community nursing, which emphasizes direct student involvement in addressing societal needs.

"We provide academic mentoring, development funding, and dedicated supervisors for students competing at national and international levels," explained Dr. Kuntarti. "Our students are trained not only to excel in the classroom but also to contribute directly through impactful social innovations," she concluded.