The Influence of Social Media on Civic Engagement among Indonesian Millennials
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37899/mjds.v2i2.216Keywords:
Social Media, Civic Engagement, Indonesian Millennials, Digital Activism, Political ParticipationAbstract
In the past two decades, social media has become a dominant arena influencing public opinion, political discourse, and civic engagement, especially among younger generations. In Indonesia, with over 200 million internet users, millennials are the most active in using social media for both entertainment and participation in civic life. This study explores how social media influences civic engagement among Indonesian millennials, emphasizing how online activities foster awareness, activism, and offline involvement. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines surveys of 250 millennials from major cities with qualitative interviews. Findings reveal that Instagram (82%), TikTok (76%), and Twitter (65%) are the most utilized platforms for civic expression. Popular online actions include hashtag campaigns (75%), petitions (68%), and crowdfunding (60%), though conversion into offline engagement remains moderate. Key obstacles are misinformation (72%), superficial participation (58%), and harassment (45%). However, frequent civic use of social media correlates positively with volunteering and protests. Overall, social media both democratizes access to civic participation and enhances political awareness, yet risks shallow engagement and polarization.
References
AlSayyad, N., & Guvenc, M. (2015). Virtual uprisings: On the interaction of new social media, traditional media coverage and urban space during the ‘Arab Spring’. Urban studies, 52(11), 2018-2034. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098013505881
Amin, M., & Ritonga, A. D. (2024). Diversity, local wisdom, and unique characteristics of millennials as capital for innovative learning models: Evidence from North Sumatra, Indonesia. Societies, 14(12), 260. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/14/12/260
Anoraga, B., & Sakai, M. (2023). From pemuda to remaja: Millennials reproducing civic nationalism in post-New Order Indonesia. Indonesia and the Malay World, 51(150), 209-230.
Ariestandy, D., Adidharma, W., & Isdendi, R. R. (2024). Transformation Of Political Participation In The Digital Age, The Role Of Social Media In Shaping Public Opinion And Mass Mobilization. Jurnal Ekonomi Teknologi Dan Bisnis (JETBIS), 3(10), 1758-1764. https://doi.org/10.57185/jetbis.v3i10.151
Arifah, I. D. C., Maureen, I. Y., Rofik, A., Puspila, N. K. W., & Erifiawan, H. (2025). Social Media Platforms in Managing Polarization, Echo Chambers, and Misinformation Risk in Interreligious Dialogue among Young Generation. Journal of Social Innovation and Knowledge, 1(aop), 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1163/29502683-bja00011?urlappend=%3Futm_source%3Dresearchgate.net%26medium%3Darticle
Belotti, F., Donato, S., Bussoletti, A., & Comunello, F. (2022). Youth activism for climate on and beyond social media: Insights from FridaysForFuture-Rome. The International Journal of Press/Politics, 27(3), 718-737. https://doi.org/10.1177/19401612211072776
Bhutto, F. (2024). Trust in public institutions: Causes of decline and ways to restore it. Research Consortium Archive, 2(3), 123-131.
Br Purba, F. N. (2025). Pemanfaatan Tiktok dalam Aktivitas Hiburan Bagi Generasi Milenial di Desa Raya Berastagi Kabupaten Karo (Doctoral dissertation, Universitas Medan Area).
Cantó, J., & Rodó-Zárate, M. (2024). Gender-Ideology Trouble? Ideology, Gender, and Generation as Factors in LGB+ Self-identification among Gen Z and Millennials in Catalonia. Sexuality & Culture, 28(6), 2745-2769. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-024-10252-w
Escandon-Barbosa, D., Hurtado-Ayala, A., Rialp-Criado, J., & Salas-Paramo, J. A. (2021). Identification of consumption patterns: an empirical study in millennials. Young Consumers, 22(1), 90-111. https://doi.org/10.1108/YC-11-2018-0872
Harriyani, H. (2024). Kesadaran Gen Z terhadap Dinamika Sosial-Politik di Indonesia: Perspektif Teori Ashabiyyah Ibnu Khaldun. Staatsrecht: Jurnal Hukum Kenegaraan dan Politik Islam, 4(1), 137-163. https://doi.org/10.14421/tqasrf92
Khalil, A. (2023). Unveiling the Dynamics of Social Media Influence on Political Polarization. Journal of Political Stability Archive, 1(1), 1-8.
Khan, M. K. I., Khan, S. A., Khan, T., & Khan, B. B. (2025). Disconnected Democracies: The Digital Divide and Unequal Access to Political Discourse in Pakistan’s Online Media Ecosystem: https://doi. org/10.55966/assaj. 2025.4. 1.079. ASSAJ, 4(01), 1345-1357. https://doi.org/10.55966/assaj.2025.4.1.079.
Martinson, M. L., Lapham, J., Ercin-Swearinger, H., Teitler, J. O., & Reichman, N. E. (2022). Generational shifts in young adult cardiovascular health? Millennials and Generation X in the United States and England. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 77(Supplement_2), S177-S188. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbac036
Matthes, J. (2022). Social media and the political engagement of young adults: Between mobilization and distraction. Online Media and Global Communication, 1(1), 6-22. https://doi.org/10.1515/omgc-2022-0006
Mugil, H., & Kenzie, F. (2025). The Shift from Traditional to New Media: How Media Evolution Shapes Audience Engagement. J. Artif. Intell., Mach. Learn. Data Sci, 35, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.12576.49921
Nurhayati, N., & Suryadi, R. (2017). Democratic challenges of Indonesia in the social media era. Diponegoro Law Review, 2(2), 349-358. https://doi.org/10.21456/vol%25viss%25ipp1-15
Ramadhan, F. H. (2025). The Role of the Millennial Generation in Reconstructing Cultural Values Through Social Media Content. Journal of Cultural Development and Innovation, 1(2), 72-83.
Safitri, F. (2025). Peran Media Sosial Dalam Membentuk Kesadaran Sosial Generasi Z. Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin Mahasiswa dan Akademisi, 1(2), 11-24. https://doi.org/10.64690/intelektual.v1i2.71
Sagbakken, U. (2022). A review of scientific literature: pertaining the relationship between social media, political disinformation, and political polarization in the United States (Master's thesis, NTNU).
Sari, S. (2019). Literasi media pada generasi milenial di era digital. Professional: Jurnal komunikasi dan administrasi publik, 6(2), 30-42. https://doi.org/10.37676/professional.v6i2.943
Saud, M., & Margono, H. (2021). Indonesia’s rise in digital democracy and youth’s political participation. Journal of Information Technology & Politics, 18(4), 443-454. https://doi.org/10.1080/19331681.2021.1900019
Saud, M., Ida, R., Mashud, M., Yousaf, F. N., & Ashfaq, A. (2023). Cultural dynamics of digital space: Democracy, civic engagement and youth participation in virtual spheres. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 97, 101904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2023.101904
Swastiningsih, S., Aziz, A., & Dharta, Y. (2024). The Role of Social Media in Shaping Public Opinion: A Comparative Analysis of Traditional vs. Digital Media Platforms. The Journal of Academic Science, 1(6), 620-626. https://doi.org/10.59613/fm1dpm66
Tasabehji, Z. (2024). Online Voices, Offline Choices: The Role of Social Media in Shaping Offline Collective Action (Doctoral dissertation, University of British Columbia).
Utari, U., Wulandari, Y., Colby, C., & Crespi, C. (2023). Political participation of the millennial generation in general elections: The influence of education, social media, and economic factors. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Dan Humaniora, 12(3), 183-198. https://doi.org/10.35335/jiph.v12i3.10
Utari, U., Wulandari, Y., Colby, C., & Crespi, C. (2023). Political participation of the millennial generation in general elections: The influence of education, social media, and economic factors. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Dan Humaniora, 12(3), 183-198. https://doi.org/10.35335/jiph.v12i3.10
Wijaya, M. M., & Amalia, H. S. (2024). Enhancing Political Participation through Civic Education: Integrating Digital and Social Media for Peaceful Elections among Generation Z in Indonesia. Global Educational Research Review, 1(2), 92-99.
Yates, L. (2022). How everyday life matters: everyday politics, everyday consumption and social change. Consumption and Society, 1(1), 144-169. https://doi.org/10.1332/MBPU6295
