Indonesian Journal of Digital Society

Digital Democracy in Post‑2024 Indonesia: Between Expanded Participation and Normalized Polarization

2026-02-26T11:03:45+07:00

This article examines the ambivalent trajectory of Indonesia’s digital democracy after
the 2024 national elections, focusing on how digitalization reshapes participation,
public discourse, and electoral governance. Using a qualitative descriptive,
literature‑based design, the study synthesizes international meta‑analyses on digital
media and participation, research on digital inclusion and critical digital literacy, and
Indonesian evidence from academic studies, official reports, and civil society
monitoring. The findings show that social media and online platforms have expanded
information access and expressive political engagement, especially among younger
citizens, yet participation remains socially stratified and often shallow, mirroring
global patterns of participation bias. Furthermore, industrialized disinformation,
buzzer networks, and emerging uses of AI‑generated content erode epistemic quality
and trust, while regulatory and supervisory responses by electoral bodies remain
fragmented and formalistic. Therefore, the article argues for structural reforms that
combine digital inclusion, critical digital literacy, and platform governance. Future
research needs to focus on buzzer ecosystems, AI‑mediated campaigning, and digital
intraparty democracy.

Social Movements and Digital Activism on Twitter: A Case Study of Development Conflict over the National Strategic Projects (PSN) Rempang Eco City in Batam

2026-02-26T10:21:16+07:00

This study investigates the dynamics of social movements and digital activism in the
context of the National Strategic Projects (PSN) Rempang Eco City development in
Batam. The research applies Habermas's framework of the public sphere,
emphasizing its inclusive and participatory nature, and extends this concept to digital
platforms. The emergence of cyberspace has transformed traditional public spheres,
enabling various societal actors to communicate and express dissent beyond spatial
and temporal limitations. The Rempang Eco City project is examined as a case of
agrarian conflict, highlighting the tensions between state-driven economic initiatives
and the territorial rights of local communities. As of 2024, the issue remains
prominent and widely discussed, with local disputes gaining visibility through digital
media and contributing to the formation of counter-narratives. The study employs a
qualitative netnographic approach and utilizes Social Network Analysis (SNA) to
analyze Twitter (X) data collected from September 8 to 18, 2023. The analysis
includes public sentiment, trending hashtags, identification of key actors, and the
progression of online discourse. The results indicate that digital activism on Twitter
has played a significant role in social mobilization related to the Rempang conflict.
The SNA findings show that 65% of the networked conversations opposed residential
displacement and criticized the reported use of force by authorities, demonstrating
the effectiveness of digital platforms in shaping public opinion and supporting
collective action.

Family Communication in the Digital Era for Resolving Household Conflicts

2026-02-26T10:02:41+07:00

This study aims to analyze the application of family communication in resolving
domestic conflict, focusing on conversation orientation, compliance, and
interpersonal communication skills. The research method used a qualitative approach
with a literature review of couples who had experienced domestic conflict. The
results indicate that communication based on openness, mutual respect, and third
party mediation, when necessary, can reduce conflict intensity and improve the
quality of family relationships. Therefore, implementing effective family
communication is a key strategy in maintaining household stability and the
psychological well-being of family members. Therefore, it is important to find
effective solutions that can help resolve these conflicts. Communication is key in
resolving conflict, with values such as compassion and patience helping to manage
differences more effectively. This approach strengthens emotional and spiritual
bonds, creating a more stable and healthy family environment.

Balancing Constitutional Rights and Personal Data Protection for Citizens in the Digital Society: A Proportionality Test Analysis of Constitutional Court Decisions

2026-02-26T11:05:09+07:00

The development of digital technology and the enactment of the Personal Data
Protection Law (PDP Law) have raised constitutional tensions between the right to
privacy and freedom of expression, particularly when the disclosure of personal data
is
related to public interest. This conflict raises questions about how the
Constitutional Court balances these two rights in Decision Number 135/PUU
XXIII/2025 and the extent to which the approach used reflects the proportionality
test. This study aims to analyse the practice of balancing rights in the decision,
examine its compliance with the stages of the proportionality test, and formulate a
more systematic model for applying proportionality in the context of digital
constitutionalism. The study employs normative legal methods with conceptual,
legislative, and case study approaches, as well as limited comparative analysis. The
research results indicate that the Court has substantively carried out constitutional
balancing, but has not yet operationalized the proportionality test explicitly and
systematically, especially in terms of necessity and proportionality in the strict sense.
The implication is that formalization of the proportionality test is needed in
adjudication and legislative practices to maintain the balance of rights in a rational,
consistent, and democratic manner in the era of digital governance

Analysis of Reading Interest Among Adolescents in The Digital Age (A study at Sman 4 Bogor)

2026-02-26T10:12:51+07:00

This study aims to identify factors that may enhance adolescents’ reading interest
amid the current digital transformation. Conducted at SMAN 4, Bogor City, West
Java, the research employs a descriptive-quantitative method with a proportionate
random sampling technique. The sample includes 152 students drawn from a total
population of 635. The findings reveal that education and parental involvement play
pivotal roles in fostering reading interests, highlighting the profound impact of
socialisation on individual behaviour. Furthermore, the study indicates that students’
reading preferences have expanded beyond traditional printed books to various
digital platforms, such as web articles, digital comics, and social media. Finally, the
results suggest that students’ habitus deeply influences the formation of reading
interest. At the same time, advances in technology and the internet have
fundamentally altered how high schoolers access and engage with literary resources.

Reproducing Nutritional Knowledge in the Digital Ecosystem through Adolescent Counseling Practices

2026-02-26T11:05:59+07:00

In the digital society, nutritional knowledge is continuously reproduced through
mediated interactions rather than transmitted linearly. This study examines how
nutritional knowledge is reproduced in the digital ecosystem through adolescent
counseling practices. Using a qualitative case study of two nutrition students
participating in a public counseling competition themed “Healthy Eating as Fuel for
Modern Adolescents,” the research explores how evidence-based dietary guidelines
were translated into accessible messages for youth audiences. Despite limited
preparation time and the absence of face-to-face rehearsals, coordination was
conducted through digital communication, reflecting the mediated nature of
contemporary knowledge production. The findings reveal three interconnected
processes: academic reproduction of scientific references, communicative adaptation
to adolescent discourse, and symbolic amplification through media exposure,
including radio interviews. The study argues that adolescent counseling represents a
socio-digital negotiation of meaning in which young nutrition educators actively
reconstruct and legitimize healthy eating narratives within the digital ecosystem.