Densus 88 Endorses Kemenag Circular Restricting Mobile Phone Usage in Educational Institutions to Combat Radicalization

The Indonesian National Police’s Densus 88 Anti-Terror Detachment has officially expressed its strong backing for a new government directive aimed at shielding minors from digital radicalization and extremist propaganda. The endorsement follows the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ release of Secretary-General Circular Letter Number 19 of 2026, which outlines rigorous limitations on the use of mobile phones and digital devices across all religious educational institutions overseen by the ministry.

Speaking in a written statement on Sunday, September 20, the spokesperson for Densus 88 Anti-Terror, Senior Commissioner Mayndra Eka Wardhana, emphasized that the regulatory framework serves as an indispensable shield for the nation’s youth. The intervention is designed to fortify students against the insidious infiltration of extremist narratives that are increasingly propagated via social media platforms.

Background and Context of the Digital Threat

In recent years, security analysts and counter-terrorism agencies have observed a worrying shift in how radical groups recruit vulnerable individuals. Rather than relying solely on physical networking and closed-door meetings, extremist organizations have heavily optimized their outreach through mainstream social media networks, encrypted messaging applications, and digital gaming platforms.

Children and teenagers, who represent the most digitally active demographic, have frequently emerged as primary targets for online grooming and ideological indoctrination. Counter-terrorism experts note that digital spaces allow recruiters to bypass traditional protective barriers erected by parents and educators, delivering targeted propaganda directly to personal devices in the privacy of bedrooms or isolated environments.

This digital vulnerability was tragically underscored by past security incidents in the country, most notably a high-profile case involving ideological infiltration at SMAN 72 in North Jakarta. In that incident, young students were exposed to radical materials online, leading to intense indoctrination that authorities warn could have manifested into severe security threats if timely interventions had not been applied.

According to Densus 88, the SMAN 72 case served as a critical alarm bell for law enforcement and educational authorities alike, proving that digital recruitment is not merely a theoretical risk but a tangible, ongoing danger requiring systemic countermeasures.

Key Provisions of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Circular

The newly implemented Circular Letter Number 19 of 2026 establishes comprehensive operational guidelines for a vast network of religious educational institutions across Indonesia. These facilities encompass Islamic madrasahs, boarding schools (pesantren), Islamic educational centers (pendidikan diniyah), Christian and Catholic theological schools, Hindu pasramans and pesantians, Buddhist educational centers (dhammasekha), and various other equivalent institutions nationwide.

The policy strikes a balance between embracing educational technology and enforcing strict behavioral boundaries. The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Kamaruddin Amin, clarified that the regulatory measures are not intended to alienate students from technological advancements. Instead, the initiative seeks to cultivate healthy, secure, wise, and responsible digital habits among students.

Under the new mandate, students are strictly prohibited from using mobile phones within school environments, with explicit exceptions made only when teachers require digital devices for specific, guided learning activities. Mobile phones may only be utilized outside of instructional hours—specifically before classes begin or after the school day concludes—or during absolute emergencies with direct authorization from a teacher or homeroom supervisor.

The restrictions apply equally to educators and school staff members. Teachers and school employees are barred from operating mobile devices during teaching and learning activities unless the usage directly pertains to the instructional process.

To ensure compliance, educational institutions are authorized to provide secure lockers or designated storage areas within classrooms and staff rooms. Alternatively, homeroom teachers may collect all student devices at the beginning of the school day, returning them only after dismissal while ensuring the phones remain powered off or set to airplane mode during storage.

Extending Protections into the Domestic Sphere

Recognizing that digital threats do not vanish the moment a student steps off school grounds, the regulatory framework extends its protective measures into the home environment. The circular urges parents and legal guardians to establish strict oversight regarding domestic device usage, recommending that personal screen time be capped at a maximum of two hours per day outside of mandatory academic requirements.

Furthermore, parents are strongly encouraged to implement robust digital safeguards, including parental control features, age-restricted content filters, safe-search protocols, application download restrictions, and scheduled screen-time lockouts. To maximize transparency and reduce covert online activities, the regulation mandates that children should only use digital devices in open communal areas of the home, such as living rooms or family spaces, rather than in private bedrooms.

Law Enforcement and Cross-Sector Collaboration

Densus 88 has lauded the comprehensive nature of the circular, highlighting its value in fostering cross-sector collaboration between law enforcement agencies and civil government bodies. By tightening control over device usage in schools and homes, the regulation effectively narrows the operational space available to extremist recruiters attempting to infiltrate educational institutions.

Kombes Mayndra Eka Wardhana emphasized that the preventative strategy places immense importance on early risk mitigation. By intervening before radical ideologies can take root, the government aims to prevent young minds from reaching the stage of violent extremism.

Beyond national security implications, Densus 88 noted that the restriction of mobile devices carries significant developmental benefits for children. By curbing excessive screen time, the policy encourages youngsters to re-engage in tangible, real-world social interactions.

The limitations are expected to foster healthier lifestyles, allowing children to dedicate more quality time to familial bonding, peer socialization, physical exercise, and recreational activities that support holistic psychological and physical growth.

Implications and Future Outlook

The introduction of Circular Letter Number 19 of 2026 marks a pivotal shift in Indonesia’s approach to digital safety and counter-terrorism education. By uniting educational administrators, law enforcement personnel, and parents under a singular preventative framework, the government has established a multi-layered defense mechanism against modern security threats.

As implementation rolls out across religious educational facilities nationwide, authorities will closely monitor compliance and evaluate the policy’s effectiveness in curbing digital exposure to extremist ideologies. Observers anticipate that the success of this initiative could serve as a model for broader educational reforms across other public and private schooling sectors throughout the archipelago, signaling a nationwide commitment to safeguarding the digital well-being of the younger generation.