By: Zakaria )*
Cyberspace becomes an easy target for radical groups and they spread their teachings there. The public should be aware of radicalism on the internet, so as not to be trapped and made new cadres by radical groups.
Young people and the virtual world are like two sides of an inseparable coin, because opening social media and browsers has become daily food. Through the internet they can interact with friends who are far away in their eyes and appreciate themselves. The virtual world can also be a place to sell and expand the market.
However, we must be vigilant because the virtual world is not the same as the real world. There are several negative sides on the internet, one of which is the spread of negative streams such as radicalism. Radical groups are already ‘hanging out’ enough and use social media and websites to find new network members, and beware, don’t let teenagers fall into radicalism.
KH Khariri Ma’mun, Deputy Executive Director of the International Conference of Islamic Scholars warned about radicalism in cyberspace. According to this young kiai, there have been many online classes through radicalism. In the past, radicals only spread poison of thought through writing, but now they are IT literate and understand how to hold online classes.
KH Khariri continued. To prevent radicalism, BNPT should monitor the spread of radicalism in cyberspace, because they are now able to take advantage of Zoom. In a sense, when someone gives information about a suspicious online class, it should be immediately traced and then prevented. Before it’s too late.
Online classes are indeed worth watching out for, because they use many modes. One of them is to provide an attractive appearance, so that many want to take the class, especially if it is held for free and there are prizes. At first it was said that this class was meant to defend one’s beliefs, but it turned out to be radicalism.
Teachers in online classes are also looking for sympathy so that young people become familiar, for example by providing free consultations, even lending facilities. But that’s just their trick, because after a long time they held long-distance doctrinalization. This brainwashing process is the beginning of disaster, because many want to become members of radical groups.
The use of online classes is considered more effective to spread radicalism, especially in the midst of a pandemic, where many people are more distant. Even though it is via cyberspace, radicals can still spread their heretical teachings. In addition, invitations in cyberspace are also quite effective, rather than the old ways such as direct regeneration and then being invited to jihad abroad or through marriage.
The government can cooperate with many parties to prevent the presence of online classes that are charged with radicalism. First, by sending the cyber police to eradicate radical accounts on social media, then reporting them to the social media manager, the goal is to deactivate their accounts. Second, if they have a site they can also take it down so as not to spread radicalism more widely.
The third way is to give advice to parents, they are obliged to accompany children, especially at the age of teenagers. Teenagers who are still unstable should not be allowed to lock themselves in their rooms while opening the internet, because they may fall into the persuasion of radicals. Strengthen good relations so that the family is solid and no one is exposed to radicalism.
Radicalism online classes are very dangerous because they can attract many new cadres, and as a society we can participate in monitoring and reporting to the cyber police. Another way is to report to Google DMCA so that radical sites can be shut down. Do not let children and teenagers be exposed to the poison of radicalism via online.
)* The author is a contributor to the Pertiwi Institute
