Indonesia's National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) identified 21,199 contents promoting intolerance, radicalism, and terrorism on social media throughout 2025. As many as 112 children across 26 provinces were exposed to radical content via online games and digital platforms, targeted for terrorism recruitment. BNPT highlights counter-radicalization efforts to safeguard children from these threats.
Indonesia's National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) revealed significant findings on the spread of radical content in cyberspace throughout 2025. According to data from the Counter-Radicalization Task Force, involving BNPT, the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), the Indonesian National Armed Forces Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS TNI), the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemenkomdigi), and the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN), there were 21,199 contents promoting intolerance, radicalism, and terrorism.
These contents were distributed across platforms, with 14,314 on Meta (Facebook and Instagram), 1,367 on TikTok, and 1,220 on X. "The Counter-Radicalization Task Force has taken steps to block access to these contents through Komdigi," stated BNPT Head Police Commissioner General (Ret.) Eddy Hartono during the year-end press statement in Jakarta on December 30, 2025.
Additionally, BNPT identified 137 active actors misusing cyberspace for terrorism activities, 32 individuals exposed online and joining networks, and 17 conducting terrorism acts digitally without direct network involvement, known as self-radicalization.
The most alarming aspect is the targeting of children. As many as 112 children in 26 provinces were exposed to radical content through online games or social media. They face psychological vulnerabilities and potential to become lone actors without physical meetings. The average age of exposed children is 13 years, ranging from 10 to 18—much younger than terrorism perpetrators from 2014-2019, who were aged 28-35.
Eddy Hartono emphasized, "Exposed children are a serious national concern." BNPT collaborates with the Special Protection Coordination Team for Children Victims of Terrorism Networks for rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and child rights protection. This phenomenon indicates the evolving recruitment tactics of terrorism networks exploiting digital spaces, including independent pledges without direct contact.
