620 Children Exposed to Radicalism via Social Media Throughout 2026
The National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) has recorded that 620 children were exposed to violent ideologies and radicalism through social media between January and 26 August 2026.
“According to data from law enforcement agencies, specifically the Indonesian National Police’s Anti-Terror Squad (Densus 8<0xC2>8), there were 620 children categorised as exposed to either violent ideologies or radicalism from January to 26 August 2026,” stated BNPT Head Eddy Hartono during an event in Jakarta on Wednesday. The event focused on strengthening the role of school committees, educators, and teaching staff in preventing violence-based extremism leading to terrorism within educational units.
Eddy noted that these children were exposed via various social media platforms, such as podcasts, forums, YouTube, and other digital platforms. Based on age ranges, the exposed children are between 11 and 18 years old and are spread across 34 provinces in Indonesia.
“Some are exposed through communities as well as digital ecosystems,” he said. Eddy explained that some children joined digital communities or ecosystems where they interact with information regarding various criminal events occurring globally.
One such group mentioned was the ‘True Crime Community’. According to him, this community is not inherently dangerous and should not be equated with a terrorism threat. “Actually, the True Crime Community is not a dangerous community; it is not the same as an actual terrorism threat,” he said.
He explained that activities within such communities include researching and observing various acts of violence occurring in different parts of the world. Therefore, members of these communities cannot automatically be labelled as exposed to terrorism or extremism. Eddy emphasised that prevention must be carried out without stigmatising specific groups.
However, such communities can become dangerous when there is a change in the behaviour of members—including children, youths, or the general public—who begin to glorify and normalise violence. “This is what is dangerous: when there is a change in behaviour,” he added.
Eddy stated that the 620 exposed children have already received intervention from law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, BNPT research indicates that the internet has become the most effective medium for terrorism propaganda, recruitment, and funding.
“These are the three areas that are our primary concern,” concluded Eddy.