Jakarta, FU Online News – The Department of Aqidah and Islamic Philosophy (AFI), Faculty of Ushuluddin, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, held a Community Service Program at SMK NU Bongas, Indramayu, on October 10–11, 2025. The two-day activity aimed to equip students with critical thinking skills to face moral challenges in the digital era, particularly concerning the phenomena of online gambling and digital pornography.

The program opened with a seminar titled “The Importance of Critical Thinking for Generation Z in the Digital 5.0 Era,” inaugurated by the Principal of SMK NU Bongas, Tri Susanti, SE, and attended by the Head of the AFI Department. The keynote speaker, Dr. Abdul Hakim Wahid, M.A., emphasized that technological advancement requires students to be not only digitally literate but also intellectually and morally mature.

On the second day, the activity continued with a workshop and mentoring sessions. AFI students guided 11th and 12th-grade participants in analyzing two real-world case studies: online gambling and digital pornography. Through group discussions, students practiced structuring arguments, identifying ethical problems, and evaluating the social and moral impacts of risky digital behaviors.

One of the speakers, Qusthan Abqary Hisan, M.A., highlighted critical thinking as both a creative and moral asset for students.

“Critical thinking not only helps students avoid poor decisions—such as getting involved in online gambling—but also trains them to develop a clear value proposition in their creative works, ensuring each project carries purpose, meaning, and direction rather than just following trends,” he said.

Similarly, Dr. Fardiana Fikria Qur’any explained that critical thinking requires process, reflection, and intellectual maturity.

“Critical thinking doesn’t happen instantly. To make wise decisions, one must be able to assess data and arguments objectively. Especially concerning pornography, students—particularly those in design and visual communication fields—must learn to make rational and scientific choices to avoid involvement, whether in production or consumption,” she explained.

The school warmly welcomed the initiative. Principal Tri Susanti, SE, expressed her appreciation for UIN Jakarta’s academic community for contributing to the moral and intellectual development of high school students.

“This activity is very relevant to today’s youth. Many students are active in digital spaces, yet not all understand the moral and social risks. We truly appreciate AFI UIN Jakarta for coming and guiding our students to think critically and act responsibly,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Abdul Hakim Wahid, M.A., Head of the AFI Department, stated that the program reflects the department’s effort to bring philosophical knowledge into real social contexts.

“AFI aims to present philosophy not as an abstract discourse, but as a grounded and solution-oriented way of thinking. Through the practice of critical reasoning, we hope students can evaluate digital realities rationally and ethically, preventing them from being drawn into destructive behaviors,” he emphasized.

Through this program, the AFI Department reaffirms its commitment to strengthening philosophical literacy and ethical reasoning among youth. This initiative is seen as a preventive step against the growing wave of digital moral degradation among teenagers.

The event concluded with mutual hopes that collaboration between universities and secondary schools will continue through various educational and moral development programs for the younger generation.

(Writer/Editor: Fardiana Fikria Qur’any/Ishmatun Nisa | Photo: Prodi AFI)