YOGYAKARTA – The rapid evolution of the digital era and information technology transformation presents increasingly complex social challenges, particularly regarding parenting and the protection of the younger generation from online threats. The unwary use of social media among adolescents frequently serves as a primary gateway to psychological issues and destructive behaviors. The pervasive phenomenon of bullying in school environments, such as the case that previously gained public attention at SMAN 72 Jakarta, highlights the psychological vulnerability of teenagers exposed to the negative impacts of social media without adequate guidance. Psychological distress from cyberbullying, combined with exposure to provocative online content, often creates social vulnerabilities where isolated youth seek validation in harmful digital spaces, ultimately leading to involvement in criminal activity or radical ideology.

Driven by a profound awareness of these critical threats, the Regional Task Force (Satgaswil) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Densus 88 Anti-Terror Police conducted an official visit and strategic coordination meeting at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (FP UNY) on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Held in the Dean’s Meeting Room of FP UNY, this pivotal meeting brought together faculty leadership, psychology experts, and representatives from Densus 88. The meeting marked the initial exploration of a partnership focused on counter-terrorism and prevention through a preventive, educational, and humane approach rooted in the foundational unit of society—the family—by strengthening the role of parenting. This preliminary synergy underlines the imperative shift from downstream repressive counter-terrorism measures toward early upstream prevention targeting school-aged children across the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

During the academic exchange, representatives from Densus 88 highlighted that radical recruitment and ideology dissemination in the modern era have undergone a significant tactical shift. Social media is now leveraged by extremist groups as a propaganda tool that targets the emotional vulnerabilities and psychological instability of adolescents. In many investigated cases, the absence of healthy communication within the family and a lack of digital literacy among parents serve as key contributing factors to why teenagers are easily influenced by dangerous online doctrines. Consequently, Densus 88 emphasizes that counter-terrorism strategies must begin at home through empathetic, responsive parenting patterns that effectively shield children from radical exposure.

This coordination visit serves as the main gateway and stepping stone toward finalizing a formal agreement for an integrated outreach program to be implemented across schools in Yogyakarta. Under the proposed framework, Densus 88 intends to actively collaborate with academics and psychologists from FP UNY to formulate comprehensive parenting education materials. The involvement of UNY psychology experts is viewed as vital in providing a scientific foundation regarding adolescent mental health, developmental psychology, and effective communication strategies between parents, teachers, and students. This initial planning ensures that the forthcoming outreach materials address not only national security dimensions but also the root psychological and parental factors influencing youth behavior.

This prospective collaborative initiative aligns directly with Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta’s commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, it contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by safeguarding adolescent mental health, SDG 4 (Quality Education) by fostering safe school environments free from bullying and radicalization, SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by preventing violence and counteracting terrorism, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through multi-sectoral dialogue between law enforcement and higher education institutions. Through this ongoing partnership dialogue, FP UNY and Densus 88 remain optimistic about designing a robust joint framework to nurture a digitally wise, morally strong, and resilient generation in Yogyakarta.