International democracy observers have hailed the mass student protests that commenced at the end of August as a powerful testament to the resilience of democratic values. This movement has sparked similar demonstrations among students in countries such as Nepal, East Timor, and Malaysia, highlighting the unifying power of youth activism across borders.

These nationwide protests not only position students as steadfast defenders of democracy, an essential theme woven into the fabric of Indonesian political history, but also underscore the pivotal role of digital platforms in organizing collective action. These amplifying voices might otherwise go unheard.

However, a troubling wave of disinformation has emerged, particularly targeting Sri Mulyani, Indonesia’s former minister of finance. False claims have circulated, suggesting that she regarded teachers as a burden to the nation. This narrative has gained traction among many Indonesians, including Pangi Syarwi Chaniago, a lecturer and political analyst, during the INews program “Rakyat Bersuara” on September 2, 2025.

This phenomenon highlights a critical issue in Indonesia: the pressing need for enhanced digital literacy. This article aims to clarify digital literacy. Additionally, considering that digital literacy plays a role in bolstering democratic resilience, this article seeks to question the overall effectiveness of e-democracy within the nation.

Digital Literacy

The concept of digital literacy has been extensively explored in scholarly literature since 2010 (Tinmaz et al., 2022) and holds significant recognition in Indonesia. However, it is often approached with a sense of complacency, as if it were an established notion, despite a backdrop of national turmoil that reveals widespread misunderstandings. Many people mistakenly equate digital literacy with mere technical skills related to using social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook, viewing it as a superficial proficiency rather than a complex and nuanced understanding.

Conversely, some individuals demonstrate a robust comprehension of ethics, political issues, and social complexities but struggle to navigate the intricate web of social media effectively. In Indonesia, a dissonance exists between advanced social media skills and the more profound critical knowledge necessary for meaningful engagement beyond basic usage.

In the scholarly realm, various terms such as digital literacy, digital competence, digital skills, and digital thinking are employed, each sharing overlapping meanings (Tinmaz et al., 2022). These terms encompass not just technical abilities—like installing applications, creating content, posting, sharing, liking, advertising, and monetizing—but also stress the importance of critical thinking when evaluating content. This critical engagement is essential for discerning factual truth from misinformation and for understanding the ethical implications of content creation and dissemination.

Digital literacy can be succinctly defined as an individual’s capacity to seek out, evaluate, utilize, and create new content based on their findings, while also sharing and communicating that newly created material effectively through appropriate digital technologies (Reddy & Sharma, 2020). Therefore, true digital literacy encompasses not only technical proficiency in content creation and sharing but also critical thinking skills, fact-checking capabilities, a strong foundation in public ethics, and a broad knowledge base. In essence, digital literacy blends foundational literacy with extensive critical thinking expertise in navigating digital platforms.

A solid command of digital literacy empowers individuals to challenge and counter disinformation propagated by malefactors with ulterior motives. In this light, digital literacy can reasonably contribute to the flourishing of e-democracy. Nevertheless, a pivotal question remains: can enhancing digital literacy actually bolster democratic processes and outcomes?

Rational Ignorance

Mass protests organized through social media in Indonesia and various other countries vividly illustrate the power of digital platforms in bolstering democratic resilience. These platforms enable individuals to mobilize quickly, efficiently, and at low cost.

However, this same technological landscape harbors significant challenges. While social media can catalyze democratic movements, it also facilitates the dissemination of disinformation. It offers a channel for individuals with anti-democratic agendas to undermine and disrupt these vital protests. Thus, social media is not inherently a champion of democracy; rather, it stands as a neutral tool capable of serving diverse, often conflicting purposes. The true impact on democracy hinges on the intentions and actions of its users.

Research reveals that social media fosters a novel communication dynamic, in which individuals communicate with an abstract, collective audience rather than engaging with specific individuals. This shift creates an environment ripe for echo chamber effects, where self-centered viewpoints are reinforced. Consequently, this fragmentation of the public sphere leads to a decline in rational discourse, making audiences more vulnerable to authoritarian rhetoric (Morelock & Narita, 2021).

Although social media is often a platform for expressing a yearning for genuine connection and community, it can also instigate profound feelings of alienation and isolation. This paradoxical dynamic has the potential to cultivate sadomasochistic tendencies, unwittingly preparing individuals to embrace authoritarian movements. In such a digital ecosystem, we witness the rise of a “society of the selfie,” where skepticism toward expertise becomes widespread, a deep craving for authenticity takes center stage—one readily exploited by charismatic leaders—and a noticeable backlash against globalization emerges (Morelock & Narita, 2021).

Navigating the vast landscape of information can be daunting, as accessing knowledge demands considerable time and effort. In Indonesia, a significant portion of the middle class, often characterized as literate and educated, resides in bustling urban centers such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, and Makassar. However, these cities grapple with persistent traffic congestion, whether individuals are commuting in private vehicles or relying on public transportation. Within the workplace, employees frequently find themselves absorbed in their own tasks, leaving little opportunity for meaningful discussions about democracy and civic engagement.

 While digital literacy undeniably empowers democracy by facilitating access to crucial information, particularly for educated individuals, the initial costs and efforts required to gather this information can feel overwhelming. Therefore, the core issue may not lie in a lack of digital literacy among the populace; rather, the perceived investment required for meaningful participation in voting can outweigh the anticipated benefits. This reality invites critical reflection: What is the point of voting?