Technological advancements in the digital age make information easily obtained and accessed through the internet on digital devices. However, this is a challenge in itself with the spread of untrue information or hoaxes.

As an effort to prevent the spread of hoaxes and to carry out wise internet usage campaigns, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (KEMKOMINFO) in collaboration with Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) held a Smart Legal Talk with the theme “Building a Wise Young Generation of Internet” on Thursday (27 / 2) in AR Fachruddin B Building, 5th floor, UMY. This activity presented 3 speakers namely Drs. Bambang Gunawan, M.Si as Director of Information and Communication of Politics, Law and Security, Dr. Fajar Junaedi, S.Sos, M.Si as a lecturer in UMY Communication Studies who is also an expert in broadcasting and television journalism, and Win Satrya as the owner of the Indonesian Museum of Toy.

In his remarks, UMY Rector Dr. Ir. Gunawan Budiyanto, M.P., IPM invited the participants to be wise in using the internet. “In addition to fighting hoaxes, we can also use the internet wisely by stopping easy forward habits and also with tabbayun (perceptive),” he said.

This is similar to what Drs. Bambang Gunawan, M.Sc, stated in his presentation. Bambang gave a presentation on how to recognize and also prevent hoaxes in cyberspace, especially on social media. According to him, hoaxes are easily spread because the public’s interest in reading is also declining, which means that careless reading often results in false information being spread.

“Therefore, to deal with the rampant spread of the hoaxes, KEMKOMINFO has received content complaint services and has also made various efforts such as conducting media literacy, official clarification and counter issues, and campaigns. It also refers to ITE Decree No. 11 of 2008 which became the legal basis for wiser use of the internet,” explained Bambang again.

Meanwhile, Fajar Junaedi revealed that the community nowadays often copy pastes information without understanding the risks that arise afterwards. Not only that, there are still many cases of copyright infringement. “So we must respect copyright more, especially in academic matters, even when working on lecture assignments,” he stressed. (ays)