The Use of Social Media to Spread IED’s and its Potential Terrorism Threat in Indonesia

Abstract

The ease of access to social media makes it easier for people to receive information about radicalism, bomb-making and violence. Radicalism is the embryo of terrorism. In Indonesia, most radical acts of terrorism are generally carried out by bombing including suicide bombings. Through social media, radical groups recruit and also study the manufacture of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) bombs. This study aims to examine the misuse of social media in radicalization using IED and formulate efforts to deny it. In this paper the method used is a qualitative method with literature study techniques. Qualitative methods are used to be able to describe the research topic in a more explorative. In this study it will explain about the internet as a base for the spread of terrorism, terrorism and the act of blasting or bombing and the process of making IEDs on the internet channel. The results of this study show that social media is abused by radical groups in carrying out their mission. The purpose of radical groups in the action of radicalism on social media includes propaganda purposes to increase the existence of the group and understand radicalism, recruit members and run training and teach ways of violence including the manufacture of IEDs. In an effort to counteract the impact of the threat of radicalism through social media, several efforts can be made, among others, deradicalization, cyber patrol to block access to social media content that contains elements of radicalism, provide literacy to the public about safe social media and be wiser in receiving radicalism information.