Protect the Digital Environment Against Radicalism on Social Media
By : Rivka Mayangsari*)
In the increasingly advanced digital era, social media has become the main means of communication and dissemination of information. Unfortunately, social media has also become a powerful tool for radical groups to spread their dangerous ideologies. It is important for all elements of society to be aware of and fight the dissemination of radical content on social media in order to maintain the security and integrity of the nation.
Director of Prevention at BNPT RI, Prof. Irfan Idris emphasized that the impact of the spread of radicalism not only causes casualties and damage to property, but also damages the stability of the country, especially in terms of the economy, security, defense, socio-culture, and so on.
Currently, the spread of radical ideas on social media is very much being intensified by radical groups. Generations
Radical content not only spreads hatred, but also encourages acts of violence that can threaten national stability. Radical groups use social media to recruit new members, rally support, and spread their propaganda. Radical groups target vulnerable individuals with manipulative messages, exploiting emotions and dissatisfaction to influence views and behavior.
The spread of this radical content is a real threat to the country. Imagine a generation of young people who are constantly exposed to these extreme ideologies. They can grow up with hatred and intolerance, losing their sense of nationalism and solidarity.
Chairman of the North Kalimantan Terrorism Prevention Coordination Forum (FKPT), Datuk Iskandar Zulkarnaen also emphasized that radical groups use social media platforms to compete for influence via the internet. Young people are easy targets for them, so media literacy is important for the younger generation so they understand whether news is a hoax or not, because one of the ways to access social media is hoaxes and hate speech.
Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube have become hotbeds for radical propaganda. The platform’s algorithms are designed to serve content that is of interest to users, regardless of whether the content is harmful or not. As a result, radical content can spread quickly and reach a wide audience.
In other areas, the Chair of the Bali Province FKTP, I Gusti Agung Ngurah Wiryanata, revealed that the involvement of women and children in radicalism and terrorism networks in the country continues to increase, not only in terms of perpetrators but in terms of quality. This exposure of women and children is also reinforced by the results of research conducted by BNPT in 2023, whose cases show that the potential index for radicalism is higher among women, generation Z and people who are active on the internet. This indicates that children and women are vulnerable groups affected by acts of radicalism and terrorism.
Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube have become hotbeds for radical propaganda. The platform’s algorithms are designed to serve content that is of interest to users, regardless of whether the content is harmful or not. As a result, radical content can spread quickly and reach a wide audience.
Former Napiter, Arif Budi Setyawan, said that the spread of radicalism and terrorism on social media is a crucial problem. This is because social media is a very effective platform for spreading radical messages because it is easy to access and spreads quickly. The perpetrators of radicalism take advantage of this to design narratives that quickly influence many people’s thinking.
The spread of radical content on social media has devastating social impacts. First, it can divide society. Messages of hate and intolerance can damage relations between groups, increase social tensions, and cause prolonged conflict.
Second, individuals who are exposed to and influenced by radical content can end up becoming perpetrators of violence or terrorism. The radicalization process that begins with the consumption of online content can trigger criminal acts that threaten public safety. We have seen too many examples where seemingly ordinary people turn into terrorists as a result of being exposed to radical content on social media.
Third, the spread of radical content can damage the country’s image in the eyes of the world. Countries that are deemed unable to control radicalism in cyberspace will lose the trust of the international community which could have an impact on diplomatic and economic relations, ultimately harming the nation and state.
Being aware of and fighting the dissemination of radicalism content on social media is a shared responsibility. Radical content not only threatens national security and stability, but also the future of the younger generation. By uniting and taking firm action, together we can protect the nation from the bad influence of extreme ideologies. Don’t let radical groups destroy our harmony and unity. Together, we can create a safe and healthy digital environment for all.
Therefore, the important role of education and public awareness in responding to information circulating on social media. Better education about the values of tolerance, harmony, and a deeper understanding of religion can help people become more critical of potentially damaging content.
*) Observer of Radicalism and Terrorism from the Persada Institute
