Yogyakarta, November 18, 2024 – In response to the challenges of the digital era, students need strong mental resilience to effectively filter information and use the internet responsibly. To support this goal, the Directorate of Research and Community Service of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) organized an Online Resilience Strengthening program for 10th- and 11th-grade students of SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Yogyakarta. The event was held in the auditorium of SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Yogyakarta and featured Prof. Dr. Siti Irene Astuti Dwiningrum, M.Si., as the main speaker, supported by lecturer Fajar Sidik, MPA., and university students who assisted in facilitating the program.

In her presentation, Prof. Irene emphasized that digital resilience is an essential skill that every student must develop to navigate various challenges in the online environment. She explained that resilience is not only about enduring pressure but also about the ability to adapt, think critically, and make appropriate decisions when dealing with digital information. Meanwhile, Fajar Sidik, MPA., added that strengthening resilience can help students improve their digital literacy, enabling them to evaluate information accurately and avoid being easily influenced by misinformation.

The program was designed to be interactive through engaging learning methods. One of the approaches used was Edugame, an educational game aimed at enhancing students’ digital literacy in an enjoyable way. Through edugames, students were encouraged to identify credible information, understand internet ethics, and recognize the importance of protecting personal data online. In addition, the Play Card session was also conducted, where students participated in role-playing activities based on real digital scenarios that required them to make responsible decisions. This method helped students develop critical thinking skills and build stronger resilience in facing digital challenges.

Participants showed strong enthusiasm throughout the program. Many students reported gaining new insights into the importance of responsible internet use and how to avoid the negative impacts of the digital environment. One participant stated, “This program was very beneficial because it provided new understanding of how to use the internet and social media wisely. I am now more aware of the importance of verifying information before trusting or sharing it.”

Through this Online Resilience Strengthening program, students of SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Yogyakarta are expected to become better prepared to navigate the digital era responsibly and resiliently. In addition, the involvement of university students in this program provided valuable learning experiences for both participants and facilitators. It is hoped that similar initiatives will continue in the future to help more students understand the importance of digital resilience in their daily lives.