The findings matter as universities worldwide face growing concerns over misinformation, online polarization, and declining civic trust among young people. As civic participation increasingly moves into digital spaces, higher education institutions are under pressure to ensure students not only master technology, but also understand their civic responsibilities in digital public life.
Why Civic Identity Matters in the Digital Age
Digital platforms have become central arenas for political discussion, social debate, and civic action. University students, as emerging citizens, spend much of their civic lives online—through social media, messaging platforms, and digital forums. However, high digital engagement does not always translate into responsible civic behavior.
In Indonesia and many other countries, civic education at the university level has traditionally focused on constitutional knowledge and national values, often delivered through lecture-based instruction. According to the authors, this approach has struggled to keep pace with the realities of digital citizenship, where ethical judgment, critical thinking, and online participation are just as important as legal knowledge.
Digital citizenship education responds to this gap by connecting civic values with everyday digital practices. It emphasizes digital rights and responsibilities, critical information literacy, respectful online participation, and democratic engagement in digital spaces.
How the Research Was Conducted
The research team used a qualitative case study approach to closely examine civic education courses that explicitly integrate digital citizenship learning. The study took place at a public university in Indonesia where civic education is a compulsory subject for undergraduate students.
Data were collected through:
· In-depth interviews with students and lecturers
· Classroom observations of civic education sessions
· Analysis of course documents, including syllabi and learning materials
Rather than relying on surveys or test scores, the researchers focused on students’ lived experiences and reflections. This approach allowed them to see how digital citizenship learning influenced students’ understanding of themselves as citizens in a digital society.
Key Findings: Three Ways Digital Citizenship Shapes Civic Identity
The study identified three interconnected dimensions through which digital citizenship learning strengthens students’ civic identity.
1. Stronger Digital Civic Awareness Students developed a clearer understanding of their rights and responsibilities in online spaces. They began to see social media and messaging platforms not just as private environments, but as public civic arenas where their actions carry social consequences.
Many students reported becoming more aware of issues such as freedom of expression, respect for diversity, data privacy, and legal accountability in digital communication.
2. More Ethical and Responsible Online Participation Digital citizenship learning encouraged students to act more carefully and thoughtfully online. Participants described becoming more cautious about sharing unverified information and more respectful when engaging in debates.
Classroom activities such as guided discussions on misinformation and digital conflict helped students practice ethical decision-making. Lecturers played a key role by facilitating reflection and modeling responsible online behavior.
3. Internalization of Democratic and National Values Online The study found that students increasingly connected democratic principles—such as deliberation, inclusivity, and social responsibility—with their digital activities. Rather than seeing national civic values as separate from online life, students learned to apply those values in digital contexts.
Learning materials emphasized that national identity remains relevant even as civic participation becomes global and digital. This helped students reconcile local civic commitments with broader digital engagement.
What the Authors Say
According to Hafidh Maksum of Universitas Serambi Mekkah, digital citizenship learning changes how students see themselves in society. He explains that when students analyze real digital issues, civic concepts become part of daily life rather than abstract theory. The research shows that “digital citizenship does not replace national civic values, but provides a new space where those values can be practiced and strengthened,” reflecting the authors’ collective interpretation of interview data and classroom observations.
This insight highlights the role of universities as key institutions for shaping ethical digital citizens, not just skilled technology users.
Implications for Education and Policy
The findings have important implications for higher education, policymakers, and curriculum designers.
For universities, the study suggests that civic education courses should move beyond memorization and exams. Integrating digital citizenship through reflective discussion, case analysis, and participatory activities helps students develop a lasting civic identity.
For policymakers, the research supports updating national higher education curricula to address digital realities. As online spaces increasingly influence democracy and social cohesion, civic education policies must reflect how citizenship is practiced today.
For society more broadly, the study shows that education can play a preventive role against misinformation, online hostility, and civic disengagement by fostering ethical awareness and democratic commitment among young citizens.
Author Profiles
Hafidh Maksum, M.Ed. Lecturer in Civic Education, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Banda Aceh. His expertise includes civic education, digital citizenship, and democratic learning.
Halik, M.Ed. Lecturer at Universitas Jabal Ghafur, Aceh. His academic focus is civic education and citizenship studies.
Badratun Nafis, M.Ed. Lecturer at Universitas Serambi Mekkah. Her research interests include civic identity and educational values.
Maulidar, M.Ed. Lecturer at Universitas Serambi Mekkah, specializing in civic education and social studies.
Juanda, M.Ed. Lecturer at Politeknik Negeri Lhokseumawe, Aceh, with expertise in civic learning and applied education.
Source
Journal Article: Civic Identity Formation through Digital Citizenship Learning in Higher Education
Journal: Jurnal Sosial, Politik, dan Budaya (SOSPOLBUD)
Publication Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/sospolbud.v5i1.16152
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