The increasing exposure of Indonesian children and adolescents to radicalism through digital platforms has once again drawn significant public attention. Citing data reported by Kompas, 110 children from 23 provinces in Indonesia have been identified as having entered radical movements. Five of them have even been named suspects and are reported to be affiliated with ISIS. Their arrests mark a shocking and paradoxical development, as the recruitment was conducted through popular media such as online games and social media.
This phenomenon has also drawn the attention of Dr. Hakimul Ikhwan, a lecturer at the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Fisipol UGM).
According to him, even as global issues such as the conflict in Syria have subsided, radicalism at the grassroots level continues to persist. Today’s developments, he noted, are markedly different from the radicalism discourse of 5-10 years ago, which was closely tied to global contexts.
“But in reality, today we still do not see a reduction in radicalism or a loosening of radical movements. People can still be exposed, join, and adopt radical ways of thinking. Whatever the circumstances, there is no indication of a significant decline. It continues to happen,” he said at Fisipol UGM on Friday (Nov. 28).
Exposure to radical ideology, Hakimul continued, spans nearly all age groups, including young adolescents aged 10-18. The most recent case occurred at a school in Jakarta and culminated in a bombing attack during Friday prayers.
According to Dr. Ikhwan, this attack exemplifies the extent to which radical ideology can influence young people. Referring to the pyramid of radicalization, he explained that there are three stages in the process.
First, the top tier consists of ideological groups whose actions are driven by a deep understanding and conviction. Second, the middle tier includes seekers, individuals searching for identity who are highly vulnerable to influence. Third, at the base, is the largest group, those who join due to environmental influences, curiosity, or enjoyment.
“The role of digital media is undeniably significant for these young people, as they are among its primary users,” Dr. Ikhwan said.
He emphasized that the prevalence of video games that normalize violence is deeply concerning, as digital technology provides space for the internalization of violence and the learning of harmful behaviors.
According to Dr. Ikhwan, such normalization becomes an entry point to radicalization for adolescents who are still shaping their identities.
“Digital technology, video games, and various technological instruments are very close to young people today, and many of them create opportunities and space for the normalization of violent behavior,” he added.
Dr. Ikhwan explained that social media algorithms shape narrow cognitive structures. These algorithms bombard individuals with similar content, creating filter bubbles.
At the same time, echo chambers form due to limited exposure to diverse knowledge, leading to the perception of a singular truth that fuels militancy and hatred.
For this reason, he stressed the need for collective action from schools, the government, families, and the wider community.
“The radicalization of children through digital spaces is a real and complex problem that demands collaborative effort. Building a critical society is a long journey. With social awareness, we can anticipate potential developments that may lead to extreme actions,” he concluded.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Illustration: JurnalPost