Unlocking Civic Participation: The Power of Digital Literacy for Indonesian Digital Natives

Abstract

This research aims to explore the role of digital literacy in unlocking the potential of civic participation among Indonesian digital natives. In an increasingly advanced digital era, Indonesian digital natives have become a significant group in their role as active users of social media and digital technology. The study utilizes the Grounded Theory method with 15 digital native respondents from various educational backgrounds. Through the analysis of word cloud and word tree features, as well as the creation of a theoretical model using NVivo 12 Plus software for MacBook, this research highlights the importance of digital literacy in strengthening the participation of Indonesian digital natives. The analysis results indicate that digital literacy is a crucial factor in empowering digital natives to participate in the digital world actively. Digital natives with good digital literacy skills can read and evaluate the information they encounter and actively discuss it on social media and in real-world interactions. In this context, digital literacy is expected to have a positive impact on the use of social media by digital natives. By enhancing digital literacy, digital natives can play an active role in reading and evaluating information and participating in constructive discussions on social media and in the real world. With a deeper understanding of digital literacy and the participation of digital natives, we can develop educational strategies and policies that support more inclusive and empowered civic participation of digital citizens.