Analysis of the Role of Social Media in Increasing Political Participation in the Digital Era

Garda Nusantara; Kinkin Yuliaty Subarsa

doi:10.37535/105004220255

Authors

Garda Nusantara Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia
Kinkin Yuliaty Subarsa Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37535/105004220255

Keywords:

Social Media, Politic Participation, Digital Era

Abstract

This study explores the role of social media in enhancing public political engagement in the digital era through a literature review of 17 national and international scholarly sources published within the last five years. The analysis focuses on five key themes: (1) the theoretical concept of political participation, highlighting citizen rights and roles in democratic systems; (2) the mechanisms by which social media facilitates political expression and public opinion formation, such as through the “Emergency Warning” phenomenon; (3) digital mobilization driven by political figures, exemplified by the “Anies Bubble” discourse and its strategic use of symbolism, framing, and visual narratives; (4) the influence of information technology on evolving political communication styles and elite-public interactions; and (5) the dual challenges and opportunities presented by digital democracy, including disinformation, polarization, and disparities in digital access and literacy. Findings indicate that social media significantly expands political participation by enabling open, horizontal, and decentralized political interactions. However, this engagement relies on strong digital literacy, responsive regulations, and ethical platform governance. These elements are essential to fostering a more inclusive, informed, and participatory digital democracy.

Author Biographies

Garda Nusantara, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia

Garda Nusantara, S.Ikom is a 20-year-old man born in Jakarta on July 26, 2004. He graduated from Al Kamal High School with outstanding academic performance. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies at Jakarta State University. With a strong passion for learning, Garda aspires to develop his communication skills and contribute to the media world and the wider community.

Kinkin Yuliaty Subarsa, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia

Dr. Kinkin Yuliaty Subarsa Putri, S.Sos., M.Si is a permanent lecturer in the Communication Studies Program, Faculty of Social Sciences, Universitas Negeri Jakarta. Her scientific focus includes media literacy, health communication, and public communication. She actively researches and publishes articles in accredited national journals and reputable international journals such as Heliyon, IJIRSS, and Studies in Media and Communication, and has also written around 23 books and received research grants from the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education of Republic of Indonesia.

References

Achu, K., Al Jubah, K., Brodtkorb, S., Chervin, P., Coleridge, P., Davies, M., Deepak, S., Eklindh, K., Goerdt, A., Greer, C., Heinicke-Motsch, K., Hooper, D., Ilagan, V. B., Jessup, N., Khasnabis, C., Mulligan, D., Murray, B., Officer, A., Ortali, F., & Ransom, B. (2010). Community-based rehabilitation: CBR guidelines. WHO Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310940/

Alper, D. Ö. (2024). Public relations discourse on X (Twitter) and analysis of public relations. Journal of Communication & Public Relations, 3(1), 14-26. https://doi.org/10.37535/105003120242

Arifin, G., Virgayani, V., Asriyani, A., Muja'hidah, M., & Jubair, J. (2025). Enhancing the role of political parties in advancing political education as a foundation for democracy. Fiat Justisia: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 19(1), 73-92. https://doi.org/10.25041/fiatjustisia.v19no1.4026

Armayani, RR, Tambunan, LC, Siregar, RM, Lubis, NR, & Azahra, A. (2021). Analysis of the Role of Instagram Social Media in Increasing Online Sales. Tembusai Journal of Education: Faculty of Education, Pahlawan University, 5(3), 8920–8928. https://jptam.org/index.php/jptam/article/view/2400

Arniti, NK (2020). Public Political Participation in the Legislative Elections in Denpasar City. Scientific Journal of Social Dynamics, 4(2), 329. https://doi.org/10.38043/jids.v4i2.2496

Arumsari, N., Septina, WE, & Saputro, IH (2020). The Role of Social Media in Increasing First-Time Voter Participation Among Students of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Semarang State University. Harmony: Journal of Social Studies and Civics Learning, 5(1), 12–16. https://doi.org/10.15294/harmony.v5i1.40271

Chang, C., & Wu, C. (2022). Active vs. passive ambivalent voters: Implications for interactive political communication and participation. Communication Research, 50(7), 828-853. https://doi.org/10.1177/00936502211066001

Cobis, M. Y., & Cangara, H. (2023). Social Media as A Political Space in The Digital Age. PERSPEKTIF, 12(3). https://doi.org/10.31289/perspektif.v12i3.9114

Fitriani, D., Budiyani, Y., Hardika, AR, & Mita Choerunissa. (2023). Public Participation in the Democratic Process in Indonesia: An Analysis of the Role of Technology and Social Media. ADVANCES in Social Humanities Research, 1(4), 362–371. https://adshr.org/index.php/vo/article/view/43

Harahap, I. H. (2020). Kampanye Pilpres 2019 melalui Media Sosial dan Pengaruhnya terhadap Demokrasi Indonesia. Komunikologi : Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Komunikasi, 17(1), 1-11. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340584071_Kampanye_Pilpres_2019_Melalui_Media_Sosial_Dan_Pengaruhnya_Terhadap_Demokrasi_Indonesia

Herari, N., Assegaff, S. B., Utomo, A. G., & Friscillia, A. P. (2024). Using SEM model for fighting diabetes: Strategic communication plan in Jakarta city, Indonesia. Jurnal Komunikasi: Malaysian Journal of Communication, 40(4), 539-560. https://doi.org/10.17576/jkmjc-2024-4004-30

Ida, R., Mashud, M., Saud, M., Yousaf, F. N., & Ashfaq, A. (2025). Politics in Indonesia: democracy, social networks and youth political participation. Cogent Social Sciences, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2024.2432071

Jiang, J., Ren, X., & Ferrara, E. (2021). Social Media Polarization and Echo Chambers in the Context of COVID-19: Case Study. JMIRx Med, 2(3), e29570. https://doi.org/10.2196/29570

Juleha, J., Yuniar, J., & Marsuki, N. R. (2024). Peran media Sosial Dalam Dinamika Opini Publik Dan Partisipasi Politik era digital. Concept: Journal of Social Humanities and Education, 3(1), 38-45. https://doi.org/10.55606/concept.v3i1.951

Maharani, N. A. (2024). Social Media as A Primary Source of Information: Exploring its Role in Disseminating the Current Situation in Palestine. Gema Wiralodra, 15(1), 275-281. https://doi.org/10.31943/gw.v15i1.628

Manik Pratiwi, A. A. (2020). Peran media Sosial dalam Meningkatkan Penjualan Online Saat Pandemi COVID-19. Jurnal Ilmiah Satyagraha, 3(2), 73-81. https://doi.org/10.47532/jis.v3i2.179

Miconi, A. (2022). The Network and The Society: Structure and Agency in Castells’ Theory. American Behavioral Scientist, 67(7), 847-858. https://doi.org/10.1177/00027642221092805

Naeem, M., Ozuem, W., Howell, K., & Ranfagni, S. (2023). A Step-by-Step Process of Thematic Analysis to Develop a Conceptual Model in Qualitative Research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205789 (Original work published 2023)

Nurdin, R. (2024). Trolls, Disinformation, and Campaign Strategy: Challenges of Digital Democracy in the 2024 Election. Indonesian Election Governance Journal, 6(1), 1–26.

Oceani, D. N. (2023, September 25). How Democratic Are We in Indonesia? Infid. https://infid.org/en/how-democratic-are-we-in-indonesia/

Rahmawati, A., Astuti, D. M., Harun, F. H., & Rofiq, M. K. (2023). Peran Media Sosial dalam Penguatan Moderasi Beragama di Kalangan Gen-Z. J-ABDI: Jurnal Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat, 3(5), 905-920. https://doi.org/10.53625/jabdi.v3i5.6495

Rusi, M., Ujiantuti, E., & Nahar, L. (2020). Strategi Pemerintah Indonesia dalam Membentuk Opini Publik Terkait Pemberlakuan PSBB. Jurnal Syntax Transformation, 1(9), 632-640. https://doi.org/10.46799/jst.v1i9.129

Sa'ban, L. A., Sadat, A., & Nastia. (2019). Partisipasi Politik Masyarakat dalam Pemilihan Kepala Daerah Kota Baubau Tahun 2018. JIP (Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan) : Kajian Ilmu Pemerintahan dan Politik Daerah, 4(1), 29-38. https://doi.org/10.24905/jip.4.1.2019.29-38

Salim, K. (2020). Digital Politics and Participation Politics in Society in the Era of Industrial Revolution. Indonesian Journal of Digital Society, 1(1), 31-38. http://journal.unas.ac.id/sosiologi-ijds

Sarjito, A. (2024). Hoaks, Disinformasi, dan Ketahanan Nasional: Ancaman Teknologi Informasi dalam Masyarakat Digital Indonesia. Journal of Governance and Local Politics (JGLP), 6(2), 175-186. https://journal.unpacti.ac.id/index.php/JGLP/article/download/1547/871

Susanto, E. H. (2017). Media Sosial sebagai Pendukung Jaringan Komunikasi Politik. Jurnal ASPIKOM, 3(3), 379. https://doi.org/10.24329/aspikom.v3i3.123

Sutoyo, M. A. H., & Rahayu, P. (2022). Evaluasi Usability Aplikasi EDMODO dengan SUS dan Thematic Analysis. Jurnal Sistem Informasi Bisnis, 11(2), 146-151. https://doi.org/10.21456/vol11iss2pp146-151

Tan, J. J., Firdaus, A., & Aksar, I. A. (2024). Social media for political information: A systematic literature review. Jurnal Komunikasi: Malaysian Journal of Communication, 40(1), 77-98. https://doi.org/10.17576/jkmjc-2024-4001-05

Yam, J. H. (2024). Kajian Penelitian: Tinjauan Literatur Sebagai Metode Penelitian. Jurnal Empire, 4(1), 61-71. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380638533_JURNAL_EMPIRE_Kajian_Penelitian_Tinjauan_Literatur_Sebagai_Metode_Penelitian

Yendra, M., & Bond, J. (2022). Transparent, accountable and integrity governance of public bodies in West Sumatra through increasing the role and function of the regional information commission. Journal of Law, Politic and Humanities, 2(4), 198-205. https://doi.org/10.38035/jlph.v2i4.156