UM and UNIDA Gontor Researchers Launch 'Saring Dulu!' Educational Comic to Combat Social Media Hoaxes

MALANG, JurnalPost.com – The rampant spread of unverified information on social media has become a concern for academics. To help students become more critical in receiving and sharing information, a research team from Universitas Negeri Malang (UM) and Universitas Darussalam Gontor (UNIDA Gontor) has developed an educational comic titled “Saring Dulu! Berpikir Kritis terhadap Hoaks”.

The comic is one of the outputs of a collaborative research project titled “Model Berpikir Kritis Mahasiswa di Media Sosial”. Through a light and accessible graphic storytelling approach, this comic encourages students not to immediately trust information circulating online without first verifying its accuracy.

The research involved lecturers and students from the Psychology Study Program at UM, led by principal investigator Dr. Anjarie Dharmastuti, M.Sc. The collaboration also included Dr. Sisca Mayang Phuspa, M.Sc., from UNIDA Gontor.

The primary focus of the research is to understand and strengthen students' critical thinking skills when encountering various information on social media, particularly in assessing source credibility, examining evidence, and understanding the context of information.

Starting from Research on Student Behavior on Social Media

The research process began with a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) held from 18–19 June 2026 at Universitas Negeri Malang.

Through this discussion, the research team explored various issues related to how students receive, interpret, and respond to information found on digital platforms.

Following the discussion phase, the research proceeded with instrument development and data collection involving students as respondents.

Interestingly, student involvement in this research was not limited to being data sources. Several students also became part of the research team, gaining direct experience in the academic research process.

The results of these activities then served as the foundation for developing educational media that resonates with students' daily lives, such as the “Saring Dulu!” comic.

Introducing Five Simple Steps to Filter Information

The “Saring Dulu!” comic addresses various situations frequently encountered by social media users, ranging from viral news of unverified accuracy and information lacking credible sources to photos shared without context.

Through characters, illustrations, and dialogues relatable to daily life, readers are encouraged to understand that not all widely discussed information can be immediately accepted as fact.

The comic introduces five simple steps to help readers handle questionable information.

First, pause before reacting or sharing information. Second, investigate the origin of the information and ensure the credibility of the source.

Third, trace the context of the information to avoid misinterpreting the message. Fourth, compare the information with other reliable sources or evidence.

Fifth, reconsider whether the information is true, useful, and worth sharing.

Through this approach, the research team aims to provide digital literacy material that is not only theoretical but also applicable in daily activities.

Socialized to UM Students

As part of disseminating the research findings, the “Saring Dulu!” comic was introduced to students at Universitas Negeri Malang on 25 September 2026.

This socialization event served as an opportunity for the research team to introduce the comic as a learning medium while encouraging students to build the habit of verifying information before sharing it.

Choosing a comic as an educational medium is one way to convey the message of critical thinking through a format that is more engaging and easier to follow.

In addition to producing the educational comic, the research team also compiled a scientific article as part of the collaborative research output between UM and UNIDA Gontor.

This collaboration also supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) point four, Quality Education, specifically through strengthening critical thinking and digital literacy skills within higher education environments.

Amidst the rapid flow of digital information, the ability to distinguish between facts, opinions, and misleading information is increasingly essential for students.

Through the “Saring Dulu!” comic, the UM and UNIDA Gontor research team hopes that the message about the importance of verifying information can be conveyed in a way that is simpler, more relevant, and closer to the lives of the younger generation.