By: Andika Rachman
Social media has become the primary platform for interaction, sharing information, and accessing various content. However, this ease and speed of access also opens up opportunities for the spread of extremist and radical ideologies. Radicalism, which is an extreme viewpoint that leads to acts of violence or terrorism, is now spreading more easily through social media.
Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and video platforms like YouTube, provide a vast space for individuals and groups to disseminate their ideologies. The ease of creating accounts and sharing content allows for the rapid and widespread dissemination of radical messages, which can also enable users to hide their true identities or use false identities. Certainly, this flow facilitates the spread of radical messages without detection.
Information on social media spreads very quickly. Once a radical message is published, it can reach thousands of people to see and read in a very short time, including individuals vulnerable to extremist ideologies.
All government agencies continue to collaborate in countering the spread of radicalism. The Special Detachment (Densus) 88 Anti-Terror of the Indonesian National Police has urged the Indonesian public to be vigilant against the exposure to radicalism and terrorism on social media, following the recent arrest of three terrorist suspects who were influenced by radicalism through social media.
The spokesperson for the Anti-Terror Detachment 88 of the National Police, Kombes Aswin Siregar, stated that it is important for the entire community to report if they know or find actions that lead to the spread of radicalism, such as disseminating propaganda materials from the Islamic State or other terrorist network groups. This is one of the efforts to prevent radicalism and terrorism as early as possible.
The aspects of doctrine and personal understanding are often misused by extremist groups; on social media, it is very possible for radicalism and terrorism groups to hide their tracks through peer-to-peer communication without being detected. Radical messages often contain elements of hatred and hostility towards certain groups, which can exacerbate social polarization, create tensions between groups, and undermine social cohesion. Extremist groups can use social media to recruit new members and often target individuals who feel marginalized or frustrated with their social and economic conditions, offering extreme ideologies as a solution.
The younger generation that is very active on social media is more vulnerable to radical influences. Exposure to extreme content from an early age can influence worldviews and increase the risk of engaging in radical activities. In more extreme cases, radical ideologies spread through social media can lead to acts of violence or terrorism. Individuals influenced by extreme ideologies may carry out physical attacks or engage in terrorist activities.
In addition to the younger generation, workers in both government and private sectors must understand and be vigilant about the spread of radicalism, terrorism, and intolerance in the workplace. This vigilance is important so that the community, especially employees, have immunity against the spread of such ideologies.
The Deputy I for Prevention, Protection, and Deradicalization of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT), Major General TNI Roedy Widodo, stated that all workers should be vigilant against the recruitment patterns employed by radical terrorist groups as an effort to counter the ideologies or dangers of intolerance, radicalism, and terrorism from the outset. Because groups are no longer meeting in person to recruit their members, they have started to utilize digital technology or the internet, using social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and others. Especially towards three vulnerable groups: women, adolescents, and children.
It is important to prevent the spread of radicalism on social media by enhancing media literacy among internet users. Users need to be trained to recognize and understand content that may contain radical or extremist elements. Social media platforms must enforce strict moderation of content that violates policies. Active monitoring of content that contains hate speech or incitement to violence can reduce the spread of radical ideologies.
Building an inclusive and supportive community can reduce individuals’ dependence on extremist ideologies. Community programs that offer support and opportunities for individuals who feel marginalized can reduce vulnerability to radicalization, and social media users should be encouraged to report suspicious or harmful content. Social media platforms must have an effective reporting mechanism and take those reports seriously.
However, amidst the increasing national vigilance against the threat of radicalism, Densus 88 of the Indonesian National Police reported a significant decrease in the spread of radical and intolerant ideologies in South Sumatra. (Sumsel).
The Head of the Prevention Team of the Sumatra Regional Task Force Densus 88 Polri, Iptu Marsan Saputra, stated that this decline should not be an excuse for the public to become complacent, as radicalism and intolerance not only harm individuals but can also threaten the unity and diversity that are the strengths of Indonesia.
To address this threat, Densus 88 not only relies on law enforcement but also strives to dominate digital spaces with content that promotes tolerance, diversity, and love for the homeland.
The spread of radicalism on social media is a serious challenge in this digital era. By understanding the spread of extremist ideology and its impacts, as well as implementing effective preventive measures, we can work together to reduce the risk of radicalization and protect society from harmful influences. Social media, although a powerful tool for communication and information, requires responsibility and vigilance to ensure that it is used for positive and constructive purposes.
)* Student of Jakarta University