President calls for social media education in pesantren

Garut, NU Online
President Joko Widodo has called on pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) to educate the students about the importance of social media utilization in order to avoid negative thoughts.

"We can regulate the mainstream media such as television program and mass media. However, we cannot restrict social media. I hope the Islamic boarding schools could provide correct education on the use of social media," Widodo said in a meeting here on Tuesday.

The president urged the people to be cautious enough to filter the massive information of positive or negative messages spread through social media and chat applications.

He also urged parents to screen and filter information received by their children through social media.

Widodo added that the efforts to filter the thoughts of students and children can be done early in childhood by embedding religious values in their lives. He believed that this could help in developing behaviors and creating a sense of politeness in the students.

The Head of State emphasized on the spread of fake news and hoax provocation in other countries.

According to Widodo, the Indonesian government must cooperate along with Islamic boarding schools to provide education that creates positive behaviors in the students.

The president visited three areas such as Semarang of Central Java Province as well as Garut and Bandung of West Java Province on Tuesday.

Widodo delivered A scientific oration in Diponegoro University Stadium as part of the 60th anniversary celebration of the university. (Antara/Masdar)