03/04/2017, 10.02
INDONESIA
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Ketapang, diocese holds training seminar for young people on the responsible use of social media

by Mathias Hariyadi

Increasingly important to network and raise awareness of social media, often a battleground between opposing "factions." The story of the Christian governor of Jakarta example of online lynching. Event organized by the dioceses involved56 young people. The invitation to the parents to supervise their children's activities on the Internet.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Fostering a "responsible" use of social networks among young people, which often turn into a battlefield for opposing "factions"; a phenomenon particularly apparent in the "division" between "radical and moderate Muslims" on one side and "Christian world" on the other. In this spirit, the diocese of Ketapang, West Java, recently held a seminar attended by 56 young Catholics at the parish church of St. Paul in Tumbang Titi.

The phenomenon of online radicalization and confrontation between "opposing camps” on social networks emerged in its full extent in the story involving the Christian Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama. Involved in a controversial "blasphemy case", he has become a symbol and victim of online  lynching campaigns.

Furthermore, this online war revealed, more clearly than ever before, the polarization of Indonesian society that, in the constitutional dictates, should be plural and united. However the clash between opposing factions is increasingly evident, with a clear predominance of radical groups and Islamic fundamentalists.

Thus, the Indonesian Church has decided to promote awareness campaigns and proper use of the web. This first seminar (annual) promoted by the diocese of Ketapang involved dozens of Orang Muda Katoli, OMK [young Catholics in the local language, ed], from all parishes.

Interviewed by AsiaNews, Maria Rosa, the parish of the Holy Family of Sungai Daka Station, said the theme of the event was: "OMK smart use of social media." The seminar was addressed by the Indonesian Ministry of Information and Communication, which distributed in-depth material on some discussion topics.

"The topic is very important - said Maria Rosa, diocesan coordinator for the second day of the Indonesian Youth, which took place in North Sulawesi last October - also considering the current political landscape in Indonesia, where social media are commonly used among people, including OMK [young people] ". The meeting also served to outline some programmatic lines that diocese and young people will have to follow for the future.

The initiative was also attended by the parish priest of the Church of Saint Paul Fr. Eltara three other priests: Fr. Damas Jehaut, Fr. Karel Pr and deacon Basri. The priests urged young people to use social media for the benefit of society and of the entire population. Fr. Eltara finally called on parents to pay attention to their children’s use of social media, especially smaller children.

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