By: Puteri Silaban*
The 97th Youth Pledge Day commemoration in 2025 is a crucial opportunity to strengthen the spirit of unity amidst the increasingly complex flow of digital information. In today’s social media era, the greatest challenge for the younger generation is not only maintaining national spirit but also countering provocation and disinformation that have the potential to undermine national unity. Provocative narratives circulating in the digital space are often disguised as seemingly convincing information, but their purpose is to create division, incite hatred, and erode mutual trust among citizens.
This year’s Youth Pledge carries an important message: unity and vigilance in receiving information are the primary bulwarks against the threat of disinformation. The government, along with various elements of society, continues to encourage the public to celebrate Youth Pledge in a conducive manner and with a spirit of togetherness. This invitation is not merely ceremonial, but part of a strategic effort to maintain social stability amidst a dynamic political and economic situation.
Balangan Regency Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) member Saiful Arif believes that the responsibility for safeguarding the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) rests not only with the security forces but also with all elements of society. In the digital age, every individual plays a crucial role as a guardian of information. He warned that many issues and false news are spread with the aim of dividing the nation. Therefore, the public needs to increase their vigilance and critical thinking skills in evaluating any information they receive.
According to him, commitment to national values and unity must continue to be fostered amidst the rapid flow of often unverified social media content. Digital vigilance is part of modern nationalism, where awareness of not spreading false news is a tangible form of love for one’s country. Saiful also emphasized the importance of collaboration between local governments, the legislature, security forces, and the community to create a safe and conducive atmosphere, as is being continuously pursued in Balangan Regency.
Similarly, Ali Hanapiah, Chairman of the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI), urged all young people to use the Youth Pledge commemoration as an opportunity to strengthen solidarity and a sense of responsibility towards the nation. KNPI is committed to supporting President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita program by encouraging young people to be at the forefront of maintaining social harmony. Youth are expected to reject all forms of provocation that seek to divide the people and the authorities. By maintaining a safe and peaceful atmosphere, the younger generation can ensure that the spirit of the Youth Pledge remains alive amidst the challenges of the times.
Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi also emphasized the importance of synergy between local governments and youth organizations. He believes that maintaining social stability will directly impact the investment climate and economic growth. He believes that youth organizations play a strategic role in maintaining social stability while also assisting the government in its program to eradicate extreme poverty. This collaboration embodies the spirit of mutual cooperation inherited from the nation’s founders.
The government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora), has issued national guidelines for the 2025 Youth Pledge commemoration with the theme “Young Men and Women on the Move, Indonesia Unites.” This theme reflects a shared commitment to making youth the driving force of change, not merely observers amidst social dynamics. Kemenpora encourages all educational institutions, community organizations, and youth communities to hold activities that build togetherness and strengthen national character.
On the other hand, a major challenge that requires vigilance is the rampant spread of hoaxes and provocative narratives on social media. The Indonesian Anti-Defamation Society (Mafindo) recorded a significant increase in the number of hoaxes during the first year of the Prabowo-Gibran administration, with a total of 1,593 recorded between October 2024 and October 2025. Of these, 44.85% were political hoaxes, followed by job vacancy hoaxes and social assistance hoaxes. The trend of misuse of deepfake technology also increased to 12.7%, indicating that the spread of disinformation is now increasingly sophisticated and dangerous.
These hoaxes not only targeted individuals but also large institutions like Pertamina and other state-owned enterprises in the energy sector. False narratives about energy policies, subsidized fuel distribution, and even the ban on refueling certain vehicles caused public unrest. Some fake posts, accompanied by manipulative images and videos, even created the false perception that conflict or unrest was occurring on the ground. However, upon verification, much of the information was digitally fabricated, exploiting public ignorance.
Mafindo also highlighted the rise in digital fraud cases under the guise of fake job openings and social assistance schemes. Many people fall victim to promises of high salaries or fast recruitment processes, which turn out to be nothing more than a ploy to extort money or personal data. This phenomenon demonstrates the importance of digital literacy and public awareness in recognizing the signs of online fraud.
In this context, government agencies, companies, and civil society organizations need to be more responsive in clarifying circulating issues to prevent the public from falling victim to disinformation. Delays in providing explanations actually give hoax spreaders the opportunity to expand their influence. Therefore, rapid, open, and data-driven public communication is essential to maintaining public trust.
The commemoration of Youth Pledge Day should be a moment of collective reflection for the Indonesian nation, not only to commemorate the history of the youth struggle of 1928, but also to affirm the role of the current generation in maintaining unity in the digital world. The nation’s future challenges are no longer physical colonization, but rather information colonization, which can lead public opinion in a destructive direction.
In the spirit of the Youth Pledge, the public is urged to be wise social media users, verify the veracity of any information before sharing it, and reject all forms of hate speech and provocation. Indonesia’s unity will be unshakeable as long as its people are united in awareness, maintain a clear mind, and put the nation’s interests above all else.
Through synergy between the government, youth, community organizations, and all levels of society, the spirit of “Unite, Rise, and Move Forward” will continue to thrive. The Youth Pledge is not merely a call to arms from the past, but rather a moral compass guiding the Indonesian nation as it faces the challenges of the times with steadfastness, togetherness, and digital wisdom.
*The author is an independent journalist and observer of national issues.
