Najwa Shihab and the Anomaly of Social Media

Najwa Shihab recently stirred up discussions on social media, particularly Twitter, after her name went viral due to massive criticism on TikTok. This backlash followed Najwa’s remarks during the inauguration of the President and Vice President for 2024-2029 on Narasi TV. She used the word “nebeng” (slang for hitching a ride) in reference to former President Joko Widodo returning to Solo on an Indonesian Air Force plane.

The criticism towards Najwa took an irrational and inflammatory turn, touching upon issues related to ethnicity and primordial sentiments. There were unwarranted discussions about Najwa’s Yemeni heritage, questioning her Indonesian identity, and other baseless, divisive topics.

The situation escalated to the extent that a video circulated showing a book authored by Najwa being burned, with the comments section filled with support for this reprehensible act. This incident goes beyond book burning; it signifies a fundamental crisis of intellect in Indonesia.

Education and Social Media

Indonesia, despite being one of the most populous countries, faces challenges in education quality, as indicated by its ranking in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). With a ranking of 66 out of 81 countries in 2022, there is a disconnect between the large population and educational standards.

Data from the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration reveals that only about 6.68% of the Indonesian population have graduated from university. This underlines a significant portion, if not the majority, of the population lacking higher education. On the other hand, around 49.9% of Indonesians are active social media users on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and Twitter.

This stark contrast between low education levels and high social media usage underscores the issue. Many social media users lack wisdom in comprehending, responding to, and addressing issues, particularly in the realm of politics. The prevalence of irrationality, such as engaging in hate speech and book burning, reflects a societal reality portrayed by Mark Bauerlein in his book “The Dumbest Generation.”

Social Media Anomalies

Social media users, including those on TikTok, need to exercise caution and wisdom in responding to issues. Buzzer phenomena and influencers exacerbating societal divisions have been evident in recent years, as discussed by Sinan Aral in “The Hype Machine.” These groups manipulate social media algorithms to steer narratives, potentially misleading the public into perceiving biased information as objective truth.

The case of Najwa Shihab being targeted by negative and divisive narratives, including the book burning incident, exemplifies the misuse of social media. As a victim of intellectual crisis fueled by users’ imprudent comments and actions, Najwa’s experience warns that such phenomena can affect anyone, irrespective of reputation or credibility.

In conclusion, Rafi Aufa Mawardi, an assistant lecturer and researcher at Airlangga University’s Department of Sociology, emphasizes the importance of exercising wisdom on social media, urging all individuals to navigate these platforms carefully.