KOMPAS.com – The digital era gives people new opportunities to pursue financial gain. This is a direct result of digital growth and the emergence of financial products.
Indonesia has a large technology market, supported by growing smartphone adoption. This trend has helped digital financial ecosystems expand in areas like e-commerce, mobile banking, and fintech.
Anyone can leverage these opportunities, but the public still needs digital finance literacy to use them wisely.
To educate the public, Kominfo partnered with the Digital Literacy Activists Network (Japelidi) and Siberkreasi to hold a webinar titled “Tips for Profiting in the Digital Space” on Wednesday (17/1/2021).
The webinar featured speakers including Ismita Saputri, CEO of Kaizen Room, and Erwan Widyarto, writer and journalist.
Other speakers included Alviko Ibnugroho, family finance motivator and member of the Indonesian Public Administration Association (IAPA); Localin co-founder Muhammad Bima Januri; and musician Ronald Silitonga.
In his presentation, Muhammad Bima Januri said people need to understand digital financial products before using them.
For example, when using a fintech service, users should first understand the product.
“Use digital financial products wisely: borrow according to your needs, choose productive loans, and calculate your repayment ability,” he said.
Users should also understand agreements and consequences, know interest rates, and recognize penalties for missed payments.
“Financial intelligence means applying basic financial knowledge and skills to build a healthy financial life,” he added.
He urged people to improve their digital financial literacy and credit management by learning investment basics, retirement planning, conflict resolution, and insurance.
Interacting in the digital space
Ronald Silitonga said the public should focus on positive behavior online and avoid disturbing digital peace.
“If we avoid negative things, more positive things will appear,” he said.
He urged people to set boundaries for themselves online.
“Don’t wait until you regret it. Digital literacy is the ability to understand digital life and apply it daily, including ethics,” he added.
Ethics should also guide people when pursuing profits through digital technology.
A participant named Lestari asked how to anticipate harmful foreign culture or bad influences entering Indonesia through digital platforms.
Ismita Saputri replied: “We don’t need to fight anything. Simply love Indonesia. That will help Indonesia develop well according to its culture. So don’t worry about foreign cultures entering.”
The webinar was part of a digital literacy series in South Jakarta.
It was open to anyone who wanted to understand digital literacy and ran throughout 2021.
The event thanked all supporting parties and noted that the program will only succeed if it reaches its 12.5 million participant target.
Organizers invited all Indonesians to participate via Instagram @siberkreasi.dkibanten and follow @siberkreasi.