Religious Literacy in the Digital Era: Challenges and Opportunities for Generations Z and Alpha
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v18i3.10090Keywords:
Literasi Agama, Tantangan dan Peluang, Generasi Z dan Alpha, Era DigitalAbstract
The rapid development of digital technology has transformed how young people access, interpret, and practice religion. Generations Z and Alpha increasingly rely on social media, mobile applications, and online communities as important sources of religious learning. This study examined the levels, challenges, and opportunities associated with digital religious literacy among members of Generations Z and Alpha in Indonesia. A convergent mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected through a survey of 420 respondents, while qualitative data were obtained from semi-structured interviews with 20 participants and a content analysis of 50 social media accounts and five Islamic applications. The findings indicated that respondents’ digital religious literacy was generally at a moderate-to-high level. Ethical competence was the strongest dimension, whereas critical digital competence was comparatively weaker. Correlation analysis demonstrated a positive relationship between the intensity of digital religious engagement and digital religious literacy, although the explanatory contribution of engagement intensity was limited. Qualitative findings showed that digital media broaden access to Islamic knowledge and enable pedagogical innovation; however, they also generate challenges, including the fragmentation of religious authority, exposure to radical or misleading content, and the superficial interpretation of religious teachings. These findings suggest that digital religious literacy is multidimensional and cannot be strengthened merely by increasing access to religious content. Islamic Religious Education should therefore integrate textual, contextual, digital, and ethical competencies through critical, participatory, and context-sensitive learning. Collaboration among educational institutions, teachers, government agencies, and digital da‘wah communities is also required to cultivate informed, ethical, and resilient religious engagement among younger generations.
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