Digital Media and Indonesian Young People: Building Sustainable Democratic Institutions and Practices

Abstract

In Indonesia digital media practices have enabled more young people than ever before to participate in civic and political activism, but there is little knowledge about the processes, motivations, and literacies that these young people need for their participation. This thesis aims to investigate how Indonesian young people have been able to utilize digital media for civic engagement and political participation to support democracy in Indonesia. This research focuses on Indonesian young people and includes interviews with activists, politicians, and government staff that were involved in the Save KPK Movement 2015, as well as interviews and focus group discussions with university or college students in five universities and one college in or near Jakarta. This research revealed factors that affect young people’s digital media literacy and activism, as well as motivations and deterrents for being politically active in ways that support democratic practices and institutions in Indonesia.