Countering Terrorist Narratives: Winning the Hearts and Minds of Indonesian Millennials
Abstract
Youth radicalization is a global phenomenon and many countries have fallen victim to deadly terrorist attacks, including Indonesia. With the advancement of technology, society has changed. The millenial generation has become susceptible to terrorist propaganda. In this digital age, social media has become a powerful tool for spreading terrorist narratives. They target the millennial generation who depends on online social networks for self-expression and to develop a sense of belonging. It is assumed that online interactions have contributed to the radicalization process. Some of them eventually join terrorist networks or become suicide bombers. This paper critically assesses how terrorists use the media to develop narratives that win the hearts and minds of Indonesian millennials. It will do so by juxtaposing the terrorist narratives with the counter-narrative initiatives undertaken by the government, NGOs and universities.
Keywords: Counter Narratives, Indonesian Millennials, Lone Wolf Terrorism, Terrorism and Social Media Youth and Terrorism
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