The Transformation of Youth Social Movements: #Reformasidikorupsi and Digital Politics in the Social Media Era

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the transformation of youth social movements in Indonesia in the digital era through a case study of the #ReformasiDikorupsi movement. The research focuses on how social media reshapes mobilization patterns, expands political participation, and constructs a new, more inclusive democratic public sphere for young citizens. It also examines the role of digital strategies such as hashtag activism, infographics, emotional narratives, and decentralized communication in building solidarity, producing public discourse, and driving collective action both online and offline. Using a qualitative approach with a case study design, data were gathered through literature review, document analysis, and observation of digital activity across various social media platforms. Data analysis employed Miles and Huberman’s interactive model, including data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. Theoretical frameworks such as Resource Mobilization Theory, Political Opportunity Structure, and the concept of connective action were applied to understand how youth actors utilize digital networks and political opportunities to shape contemporary social movements. The findings indicate that #ReformasiDikorupsi successfully broadened youth political engagement through rapid mobilization and multi-layered discourse production in digital spaces. Social media functioned as a deliberative arena where political narratives were produced, contested, and disseminated widely, fostering political literacy and collective awareness. However, the sustainability of the movement faced challenges, including disinformation, digital repression, limited long-term advocacy structures, and weak linkage to formal policy processes. Overall, this study demonstrates that digital politics has become a crucial arena in Indonesia’s democratic landscape, strengthening youth participation and shifting discourse production from political elites to civil society.