Police Give Digital Hazard Counseling To Santri In Cileungsi, Fortify Young Generation From Social Deviations

Tangerang Police Chief Commissioner Arief Nazaruddin Yusuf gave counseling to hundreds of students at Darussalam Koposari Islamic Boarding School, Cileungsi District, Bogor Regency, (photo: dock.)

JAKARTA The police have again shown their active role in fostering the younger generation through counseling activities with the theme of the dangers of social deviation in the digital era. This time, hundreds of students from Darussalam Koposari Islamic Boarding School, Cileungsi District, Bogor Regency, received direct briefing from the Tangerang Police Head of Criminal Investigation Unit, Kompol Arief Nazaruddin Yusuf.

The event, which took place on Friday night, July 18, became part of a series of face-to-face activities and camps for students held by Islamic boarding schools. Carrying the theme "The Role of the Young Generation in Maintaining the Integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and the Dangers of Social Deviations in the Digitalization Era", this counseling aims to instill critical awareness of the massive and increasingly unstoppable digitalization current.

Darussalam Islamic Boarding School Advisor Koposari, Afif Johan, expressed his appreciation for the synergy between educational institutions and the police. He considered that the material submitted by Kompol Arief was very relevant and grounded, so that it was easy for the students to understand.

"We invite Kompol Arief because we know his capacity in fostering the younger generation. The material is contextual and is greeted enthusiastically by the students," Afif said when met in Bogor.

He explained that around 350 students took part in the activity, which was regularly held as part of the formation of characters and planting national values. According to Afif, Kompol Arief's presence also received support from the Banten Police Chief as a tangible manifestation of collaboration in strengthening the nation's moral resilience in the midst of the challenges of the digital world.

In his presentation, Kompol Arief highlighted a number of major risks faced by the younger generation due to misuse of digital media. He mentioned several new forms of social deviation that are now rife, such as cybercrime, spread of hoaxes, online bullying (cyberbullying), and online fraud.

Digital media can be beneficial or disadvantaged. Santri must be able to distinguish between education and destructive ones," said Arief in front of the students.

He also reminded about the illusion of mind caused by social media, namely the impression of freedom without control which can plunge into content that is contrary to religious values and national norms.

Furthermore, Arief said that pesantren has a strategic position in shaping the character of the younger generation. With a strong religious foundation, the students are believed to be able to pioneer the use of digital media wisely and responsibly.

"Santri have moral and spiritual strength. It's just a matter of how they are given an understanding so they don't slip easily by the increasingly complex digital temptation," he said.

Meanwhile, Afif Johan hopes that similar activities can continue and become a coaching program that is inherent in the pesantren education system. He emphasized that the role of pesantren is not only to produce religious experts, but also to national moral guards who are strong in facing the era of technology.

"This is not only a matter of education, but also a real contribution of pesantren in maintaining the morals and integrity of the nation in the midst of technological advances," he said.

This counseling is proof that efforts to protect the younger generation from the negative impact of digitalization cannot be imposed on just one party. Synergy between educational institutions, security forces, and the wider community is absolutely necessary so that the nation's children do not lose their way in the midst of the swift flow of information and technology.