DAMPAK DISINFORMASI PADA KEHIDUPAN BERNEGARA DAN URGENSI PENGUATAN LITERASI DIGITAL

Abstract

The development of digital technology has provided convenience in accessing and 
disseminating information, but it has also created challenges in the form of hoaxes, 
disinformation, hate speech, and limited public ability to verify information. This 
study aims to examine the phenomenon of digital and information literacy crises, 
analyze the factors contributing to the low ability of society to filter information, 
identify the impacts of disinformation on national life, and explore efforts to 
strengthen digital literacy, particularly among the younger generation. This study 
employed a survey and observation approach by distributing questionnaires to 31 
students at the University of Lampung. The results indicate that most respondents 
recognize the importance of digital literacy, social media ethics, and the ability to 
verify information. A total of 64.5% of respondents considered the implementation of 
firm and fair legal regulations to be the primary measure for creating a healthy digital 
environment. Furthermore, 48.4% of respondents stated that digital literacy materials 
are very important to be included in university curricula. The findings also show that 
false information can influence public trust in the government, trigger social conflicts, 
and weaken the implementation of Pancasila values, particularly the second and third 
principles. Sensational and emotional headlines were identified as one of the factors 
that encourage people to disseminate information without verifying it first. 
Strengthening digital literacy can be carried out through digital ethics education, 
critical thinking practices, the internalization of Pancasila values, digital literacy 
training, and collaboration among the government, educational institutions, families, 
communities, and social media platforms. Strong digital literacy is expected to foster 
citizens who are critical, wise, responsible, and capable of maintaining national unity, 
democracy, and national resilience in the digital era.