Jakarta, Sept. 2 -- Indonesia's National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) said 620 children in 34 provinces were exposed to violent extremism and radical ideologies online during the first eight months of 2026.

Speaking at a national prevention forum in Jakarta on Wednesday, BNPT Chief Eddy Hartono said the figures were based on intelligence gathered with police counterterrorism unit Densus 88.

The affected children, aged 11 to 18, encountered extremist content through online forums, podcasts, YouTube and specialized virtual communities, he said.

BNPT research indicates the internet has become the most effective medium for terrorist propaganda, recruitment and financing, Hartono said, highlighting its growing role in extremist activities...