Digital Citizenship of Generation Z in Indonesia: Does Islamic Higher Education Matter?

Abstract

This study explores and analyzes the knowledge and practices of digital citizenship (DC) of Islamic high school (IHS) students and Islamic higher education (IHE) students. Data were collected using a questionnaire distributed online. The participants were 765 IHS students in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, and 765 at State Islamic University Antasari Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Data were processed using T-test to determine the difference between digital citizenship practices and knowledge. Pearson’s correlation was utilized to assess the relationship between knowledge and digital citizenship actions. This study found a significant correlation between students’ knowledge of and practice digital citizenship. The knowledge and practice of digital citizenship of IHS and IHE students were similar. It shows that Islamic educational institutions have yet to be able to instill digital citizenship in Generation Z. Therefore, this study recommends that teachers, lecturers, and managers of Islamic education institutions introduce and instill digital citizenship in schools and universities. The government should also establish policies encouraging digital citizenship as part of learning in Islamic educational institutions.