Creatalk CBX 2024: Strengthening Digital Literacy to Combat Cyber Crimes

Harun Nasution Auditorium, UIN News Online – DNK TV, under the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication Sciences (FIDKOM) UIN Jakarta, successfully held the highlight of Creatalk CBX 2024 with the theme "From Clicks to Crimes: Unmasking Social Media-Cybercrime," on Tuesday (15/10/2024), at the Harun Nasution Auditorium. The event aimed to increase digital literacy and raise awareness about the growing threat of cybercrime in the digital age.

The event was opened with a welcoming address by the Dean of FIDKOM, Dr. Gun Gun Heryanto, M.Si., who emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between freedom of expression and responsibility on social media. He highlighted that while social media can be a powerful tool for expression and democracy, it can also be misused for harmful purposes.

"Social media is a powerful tool for empowerment, but it can also become a weapon of harm if misused. It is crucial that we use it responsibly and remain vigilant against the dangers of digital crime," Dr. Gun Gun remarked.

Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Tholabi, S.Ag., S.H., M.H., M.A., echoed similar concerns during his keynote speech. He compared social media to a double-edged sword that, if not handled wisely, can cause great harm. He emphasized the need for digital literacy to ensure that social media is used constructively.

"Mastering technology and digital platforms is essential for a nation's progress. However, we must approach digitalization with wisdom and responsibility, especially on social media," Prof. Ahmad Tholabi stated.

The event's significance was further elevated by the participation of Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, B.B.A., M.B.A., who delivered a keynote speech. He stressed that strengthening digital literacy is vital in addressing the challenges posed by rapid technological advancements, particularly the rise of cybercrime. He called for policies that support responsible use of digital platforms to safeguard users from exploitation.

KPI Commissioner Mimah Susanti, M.Sos, also shared her insights on the increasingly complex landscape of social media. She discussed how social platforms, originally created to foster social connections, have now become a hunting ground for cybercriminals. She referred to the current era as a time of hyper-reality, where the lines between the real and virtual worlds blur, creating new opportunities for digital crimes.

"In this hyper-real era, social media has become fertile ground for cybercriminals who exploit its vulnerabilities to deceive users. We must be more vigilant and aware," Mimah warned.

The event continued with a Creatalk session aimed at sparking critical discussions about the rational use of social media, while emphasizing the need for emancipatory digital literacy. The session also called for greater awareness of responsible online behavior, with a focus on preventing cybercrime through education and policy reforms.

Through the Creatalk CBX 2024 event, UIN Jakarta demonstrated its commitment to empowering students and the wider community to navigate the digital landscape safely, ensuring they are not only consumers of content but also responsible and informed digital citizens.

(Shely Nurloka/Fauziah M./Dzihan Aufa Kilmi Firdausi/Photo: Melva Evangelyn)