RT Journal Article
A1 Bernardus Herdian  Nugroho
T1 Digital activism and youth participation in Indonesia: A qualitative study of social media’s role in contemporary social movements
JF Priviet Social Sciences Journal
YR 2025
VO 5
IS 10
SP 91-105
DO 10.55942/pssj.v5i10.603
AB Amidst Indonesia's evolving democratic landscape, digital activism has become a defining arena for youth-driven civic engagement. This qualitative research delves into how Indonesian youth are harnessing social media platforms to propel contemporary social movements. Drawing from in-depth case studies of two pivotal movements—#ReformasiDikorupsi and #TolakOmnibusLaw—and candid interviews with activists, this study uncovers the strategies, motivations, and profound challenges that they navigate. Our findings reveal that social media acts as a powerful catalyst for rapid mobilization and broad participation, effectively forging a collective identity and solidarity among youth activists. Online campaigns demonstrably amplify on-the-ground protests, contributing to tangible outcomes such as policy shifts. However, this empowerment is contested within a digital terrain fraught with significant obstacles. Activists must contend with the rampant spread of misinformation and harassment, an overreliance on virality to achieve impact, and the organized counter-mobilization of "cyber troops" seeking to undermine their narratives. Ultimately, this study argues that while digital activism is a vital force for enhancing youth political participation and social awareness, its effectiveness is critically contingent on a delicate balance between digital literacy, platform governance, and the seamless integration of online efforts with offline action. These insights offer a nuanced understanding of both the promise and perils of Indonesia's digital public sphere in the ongoing struggle for social change.
K1 digital activism, social media, youth, Indonesia, social movements, political participation
LK https://journal.privietlab.org/index.php/PSSJ/article/view/603
ER