South Tangerang, October 2026 — A community service program conducted by researchers from Universitas Bina Sarana Informatika has introduced digital information literacy, critical thinking, and interpersonal communication education to the management and members of At-Taqwa Mosque. The program aimed to help participants evaluate information more carefully, communicate respectfully, and avoid spreading misleading information in an increasingly digital environment.
The program was documented in an article published in the Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bestari (JPMB), Volume 5, Number 10, October 2026. The activity took place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at At-Taqwa Mosque in the Rawa Mekar Jaya area of Serpong, South Tangerang.
Addressing the Challenges of Digital Information
The widespread use of social media and messaging applications has made information easier to access and share. However, this convenience also presents challenges, including hoaxes, unverified claims, misleading content, and misunderstandings caused by unclear or inappropriate language.
These issues can affect communication within religious communities, where clear information, mutual respect, and constructive discussion are important. The program therefore emphasized the importance of developing critical thinking skills, strengthening information literacy, and improving interpersonal communication among mosque administrators and members.
Interactive Learning and Practical Exercises
The community service program combined educational sessions, discussions, case studies, and practical exercises. Participants were introduced to critical thinking concepts, including distinguishing facts from opinions, identifying assumptions, and examining the evidence supporting a claim.
The sessions also addressed interpersonal communication, particularly active listening, expressing opinions clearly, and respecting differences of perspective. Participants learned about the importance of using polite language and avoiding provocative expressions that could lead to unnecessary conflict.
Another key component focused on digital information literacy. Participants were encouraged to examine the credibility of information sources, check publication dates, consider context, and verify information before sharing it with others.
To make the learning process more practical, the program included group discussions analyzing examples of information circulating on social media and WhatsApp. Participants also took part in role-playing exercises involving disagreements, criticism, requests for clarification, and conflict resolution.
The activities were supported by initial needs assessments, pre-tests, mentoring, and post-activity evaluations to support the learning process and review the program's outcomes.
Strengthening Responsible Communication in Religious Communities
The article reports that the program produced several outputs, including increased participant knowledge and skills, as well as publication in print or electronic media. However, the article does not provide numerical pre-test and post-test scores or statistical measurements of the extent of improvement. Therefore, the reported outcomes should be understood as program outputs rather than quantified evidence of the program's effectiveness.
The initiative highlights the importance of integrating digital literacy with communication ethics. Understanding how to verify information is valuable, but the ability to convey information responsibly and respond respectfully to differing opinions is equally important.
These skills can help religious communities create a more constructive communication environment, particularly when discussing sensitive issues or responding to information circulating online.
Opportunities for Wider Community Education
The authors recommend expanding similar educational initiatives to other religious communities, including majelis taklim groups and mosque youth organizations. They also suggest providing more hands-on fact-checking activities and conducting periodic mentoring to reinforce participants' skills.
The program aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, particularly the broader objective of promoting inclusive learning opportunities and lifelong education.
By strengthening critical thinking, information literacy, and interpersonal communication, community-based education can help individuals become more responsible information users and more considerate communicators in both digital and face-to-face interactions.
About the Authors
- Riastri Novianita — Universitas Bina Sarana Informatika
- Bobby Octavia Yuskar. — Universitas Bina Sarana Informatika
- Ondy— Universitas Bina Sarana Informatika
- Putri Ramadaniar— Universitas Bina Sarana Informatika
Source
Article title: “Peningkatan Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis dan Komunikasi Interpersonal kepada Pengurus dan Anggota Masjid At-Taqwa melalui Edukasi Literasi Bahasa dan Etika Informasi”
Journal: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bestari (JPMB), Volume 5, Number 10, October 2026, pp. 805–820.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/jpmb.v5i10.71
Journal website: https://journaljpmb.my.id/index.php/jpmb
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