Indonesia's Meutya Hafid warns of new online extremist recruitment tactics

Indonesia's Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid warned that extremist groups are increasingly using offers of financial aid, medical assistance, debt repayment and other social support to recruit vulnerable individuals online, replacing overt calls for violence with more subtle, trust‑building methods. She said the tactics target children and economically disadvantaged communities, often disguising recruitment as humanitarian aid or promises of free schooling, which can lead to forced early marriage and other human‑rights abuses.

The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) recently intercepted an online recruitment attempt on the Roblox gaming platform that aimed to enlist 112 children. Hafid highlighted that algorithm‑driven recommendation systems create echo chambers that amplify extremist narratives, making detection harder. She urged families, schools and government institutions to strengthen vigilance and safeguards against digital radicalisation.