The Transformation of Muslim Young Generation's Political Participation in the Digital Era: The Shift in Political Engagement from Organizations to Social Media

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the transformation of the political participation of the young generation of Muslims in the digital era, specifically the shift in political involvement from formal organizations to social media as a new arena of political participation. The development of digital technology and the increasing use of social media have changed the political engagement patterns of the younger generation from an organization-based model to a more flexible, personalized, and network-based model. This research uses a qualitative method with a library research approach sourced from books, journal articles, research reports, and statistical data on the use of the internet and social media in Indonesia. Data analysis was carried out in a descriptive-analytical manner using the theory of political participation from Verba and Nie,  the theory of network society from Manuel Castells,  the theory of connective action from Bennett and Segerberg, and the theory  of digital citizenship from Mossberger. The results show that social media has become a new space for the younger generation of Muslims to obtain political information, build public opinion, conduct political mobilization, and engage in various social movements without having to rely on formal organizations. This transformation shows that the younger generation of Muslims is not experiencing a decline in political participation, but rather a shift in form of participation from a collective and organized model to a more individualized and issue-based digital participation. However, these developments also present various challenges for democracy, such as disinformation, political polarization, echo chambers, and the weakening of the process of political regeneration through formal organizations. This research offers the concept of Digital Muslim Political Participation, which is a form of political participation of the younger generation of Muslims built through digital networks and social media interactions, where political involvement is no longer dependent on formal institutions, but is increasingly determined by digital connectivity, issue-based mobilization, and decentralized political participation