Lecturers and students from the Communication Studies Program, Faculty of Communication Studies, Universitas Pamulang, have strengthened digital literacy among students through a community service program titled “Strengthening Digital Literacy to Build a Civilized Indonesia in the Digital Space.” Led by Fikran Kamal Hujjaji, S.I.Kom., M.I.Kom., together with Tubagus Faisal Pratama Sandjadirja, Refa Fahrezi Simatupang, and Aditia Bagas, the program was conducted at SMK Muhammadiyah 1 Ciputat and involved second-year students. The initiative is important as the growing use of social media has accelerated information exchange while also increasing risks such as misinformation, hate speech, cyberbullying, privacy violations, and declining communication ethics in digital spaces.
Social media has transformed how people communicate. Information that once took days to arrive through traditional correspondence can now be received and shared almost instantly through the internet. However, this convenience also allows false or harmful information to spread rapidly. The article cites reports linking Indonesia's low level of digital civility to problems such as hoaxes, hate speech, cyberbullying, discrimination, and other forms of uncivil behavior on social media.
The issue of digital ethics is also connected to social media usage habits. The article notes that excessive social media use among adolescents can be associated with sleep problems, reduced concentration, forgetfulness, emotional instability, and increased depressive symptoms. Adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media are reported in the cited literature to have higher levels of depression.
Four Pillars Form the Foundation of Digital Education
The Universitas Pamulang program was based on the Four Pillars of Digital Literacy: digital skills, digital safety, digital culture, and digital ethics. The framework goes beyond teaching people how to use technology. It also encourages users to evaluate information critically, protect themselves and others in digital environments, respect cultural values and intellectual property, and communicate responsibly online.
The program also connected digital ethics with Indonesia's Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE) and ethical values from an Islamic perspective. This approach was designed to help participants understand that behavior on social media can have legal, social, and moral consequences.
Learning Digital Ethics Through Real Cases
The program used presentations, case studies, and interactive question-and-answer sessions. The team prepared presentation materials featuring several real cases involving social media use and legal consequences.
Among the cases discussed were those involving Ahmad Dhani, Prita Mulyasari, and Resbob. Students were encouraged to examine how statements or posts on social media can result in legal consequences when they violate regulations or harm other people.
The case of Prita Mulyasari was used to discuss appropriate ways to express complaints. Students were encouraged to first communicate problems directly to the relevant institution and use appropriate channels for resolution when an issue remains unresolved. The discussion also emphasized that content posted on digital platforms can leave a permanent digital footprint and spread widely.
Meanwhile, the Resbob case was used to help students understand the risks associated with offensive or inappropriate language on social media. After discussing the cases, participants connected the issues with the UU ITE and Islamic values concerning responsibility, politeness, and ethical communication.
Students Demonstrate Greater Understanding of Digital Ethics
The program received a positive response from participants. During the question-and-answer session, most students demonstrated an understanding of the importance of thinking carefully before responding to situations on social media. One example discussed how someone should respond after being insulted because of poor performance in a game.
Participants also demonstrated their understanding of digital regulations. Most were able to recall Article 27A of the UU ITE discussed during the session and understood the importance of not exposing or sharing other people's private matters. They were also able to recall a recent viral case involving Resbob and provide their own perspectives on the ethical issues surrounding it.
According to the authors, participants' ability to respond to real-life cases indicated the development of critical thinking and reasoning during the activity. The article concludes that the combination of lectures, audiovisual materials, and participatory question-and-answer sessions was effective in improving participants' understanding of digital ethics and compliance with digital media regulations.
The activity included an opening session, a welcome address from the school, a digital literacy lesson delivered by Fikran Kamal Hujjaji, a sharing session, and a closing session. Documentation on pages 655–656 shows the speaker delivering the lesson in the classroom, a meeting with a school representative, and a group photograph with the participants.
Digital Literacy Should Go Beyond Ethics
The Universitas Pamulang team recommends that digital literacy education should not stop after a single activity. The article proposes developing a small booklet on social media ethics so participants can continue referring to the material after the program ends.
Further training should also cover other aspects of digital literacy, particularly digital security and skills development. Skills such as digital marketing and digital media management could provide additional benefits for students as they prepare to participate in an increasingly digital society.
This type of initiative can become part of broader efforts to prepare young people for an increasingly digital environment. For students, digital literacy is not simply the ability to operate applications or create online content. It also involves evaluating information, protecting privacy, understanding the consequences of online posts, and treating other users responsibly.
For schools and educational institutions, the program highlights the importance of incorporating digital ethics, safety, and responsibility into student learning and development activities. For society more broadly, stronger digital literacy can help foster more responsible communication habits amid the rapid flow of online information.
Author Profiles
- Tubagus Faisal Pratama Sandjadirja — Communication Studies Program, Faculty of Communication Studies, Universitas Pamulang.
- Fikran Kamal Hujjaji, S.I.Kom., M.I.Kom. — Communication Studies Program, Faculty of Communication Studies, Universitas Pamulang; listed as the corresponding author of the article.
- Refa Fahrezi Simatupang — Communication Studies Program, Faculty of Communication Studies, Universitas Pamulang.
- Aditia Bagas — Communication Studies Program, Faculty of Communication Studies, Universitas Pamulang.
Research Source
- Title: Strengthening Digital Literacy to Build a Civilized Indonesia in the Digital Space
- Authors: Tubagus Faisal Pratama Sandjadirja, Fikran Kamal Hujjaji, Refa Fahrezi Simatupang, Aditia Bagas
- Affiliation: Communication Studies Program, Faculty of Communication Studies, Universitas Pamulang
- Journal: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bestari (JPMB)
- Volume: 5, Issue 7
- Year: 2026
- Pages: 647–660
- ISSN: 2964-7150
- DOI: 10.55927/jpmb.v5i7.57
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