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

Abstract

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.