Digital Literacy Competence and Student Character Building in Digital Educational Environments

Didit Darmawan; Rifandi Muhammad Yusuf; Aminatuzzuriyah Aminatuzzuriyah

doi:10.32806/jm.v4i3.2525

Authors

Didit Darmawan Universitan Sunan Giri Surabaya
Rifandi Muhammad Yusuf Universitas Sunan Giri Surabaya, Indonesia
Aminatuzzuriyah Aminatuzzuriyah Universitas Sunan Giri Surabaya, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32806/jm.v4i3.2525

Keywords:

digital literacy competence, character building, character education, digital ethics, self-control, school culture, digital citizenship

Abstract

Digital literacy competence has become increasingly relevant to character education as students’ learning, communication, and social interaction are progressively mediated by digital technologies. This systematic literature review examines the relationship between digital literacy competence and student character building and identifies the educational mechanisms shaping this relationship. Sixteen studies published between 2020 and 2026 were systematically mapped and synthesised, including quantitative, qualitative, developmental, case-study, literature-review, and previous systematic-review research. The findings indicate a consistent positive relationship between digital literacy and various character dimensions, including religious character, morality, media ethics, politeness, responsibility, discipline, independence, and civic virtue. The magnitude of relationships varied substantially across quantitative studies, indicating that digital literacy should not be treated as a single determinant of character. Its contribution is shaped by critical information evaluation, ethical awareness, self-control, teacher mediation, school culture, parental guidance, authentic learning activities, and value internalisation. The review concludes that character-oriented digital literacy needs to extend beyond technical proficiency by integrating critical, ethical, safe, responsible, and reflective use of technology within students’ learning and social experiences.

References

Agustina, A., Adha, M. M., & Mentari, A. (2023). Pengaruh literasi digital terhadap etika bermedia sosial peserta didik. Mindset: Jurnal Pemikiran Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran, 3(2), 52–64.

Akib, T., Arriah, F., & Dharma, S. (2022). Pengaruh kecakapan literasi digital guru terhadap penguatan pendidikan karakter siswa sekolah dasar. JAMP: Jurnal Administrasi dan Manajemen Pendidikan, 5(1), 17–24.

Algifari, M. R., & Adawiah, R. (2026). Pengaruh literasi digital terhadap sikap sopan santun Generasi Z di SMA Negeri 12 Banjarmasin. Pendas: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 11(2), 490–500. https://doi.org/10.23969/jp.v11i2.46279

Aliyah, N. D., & Darmawan, D. (2024). Pengaruh literasi digital, pemanfaatan media pembelajaran, dan lingkungan keluarga terhadap motivasi belajar siswa SMPN 01 Tanjungbumi Bangkalan Madura. El-Mujtama: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat, 4(4), 2098-2117.

Amsyari, M. A., Darmawan, D., & El-Yunusi, M. Y. M. (2026). EdTech-Based Educational Management Strategies in Remote Areas and Social Justice Transformation for Rural Communities. Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, 5(2), 65-76.

Arifin, S., & Darmawan, D. (2021). Technology access and digital skills: Bridging the gaps in education and employment opportunities in the age of technology 4.0. Journal of Social Science Studies, 1(1), 163-168.

Azizah, C., & Darmawan, D. (2024). Pengaruh budaya literasi terhadap prestasi belajar siswa setingkat sekolah menengah atas. PENSA, 6(3), 1-19.

Azizah, C., & Darmawan, D. (2025). The Influence of Literacy Culture, Family Roles, and Learning Discipline on Student Learning Achievement at MA Tanada Waru Sidoarjo. Dirasah: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 6(2), 167-182.

Cahyaningrum, W. (2024). Pengaruh tingkat literasi digital keagamaan siswa terhadap karakter religius siswa SMA Negeri 1 Ambarawa Kabupaten Semarang [Skripsi, Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang].

Chotimah, C., Sutiani, Y., & Syahrin, M. A. (2026). Digital literacy and self-control as predictors of students’ media ethics at SMP Negeri 3 Pekalongan. Al-Hikmah: International Journal of Islamic Studies, 2(1), 105–121. https://doi.org/10.64540/9gqr8912

Darmawan, D. (2021). Social interaction in digital society: Changes in online communication patterns and dynamics of virtual communities. Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 1(1), 325-350.

Darmawan, D. (2024). Digital Readiness of Baby Boomer Generation in the Workplace: A Study of Intergenerational Gaps and Organizational Adaptation Strategies. Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 4(1), 391-416.

Darmawan, D. (2025). Work Readiness, Digital Skills, and Employability: a Study on the Moderating Effect of Digital Skills Among College Students. Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 5(2), 157-178.

Darmawan, D., & Adi, M. I. F. (2026). Professional and Pedagogical Competence of Islamic Education Teachers and Its Function in Students’ Learning Motivation and Achievement. AL GHAZALI: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pemikiran Islam, 6(2), 593-622.

Darmawan, D., & de Jesus Isaac, A. (2022). Self-identity formation and social perception of individuals through interaction on social media in a digital world. Journal of Social Science Studies, 2(2), 273-278.

Darmawan, D., & Fajar, A. S. M. (2024). The role of social media in the distribution and dissemination of education publications in the digital age. Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 4(2), 41-58.

Darmawan, D., & Musonawawi, M. (2026). Bimbingan Guru Kompeten dan Kemandirian Belajar Peserta Didik di Era Digital Competent Teacher Guidance and Student Learning Autonomy in the Digital Era. Al Yasini: Jurnal Keislaman, Sosial, hukum dan Pendidikan, 11(03), 139-139.

Darmawan, D., & Sagita, I. N. (2026). Keselarasan Pendidikan Akhlak dan Ekspresi Kreatif Digital Peserta Didik Madrasah. Educatoria: Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pendidikan, 6(2), 388-412.

Darmawan, D., Chasbiyah, M. U., & Sari, A. N. (2026). The Effectiveness of Cooperative Methods and Interactive Digital Media on Elementary School Learning Interest. Molang: Journal Islamic Education, 4(2), 25-40.

Darmawan, D., Hasan, H., & Jamali, A. (2026). Mechanisms for Empowering Teacher Innovation in the Development of Learning Practices: An Islamic Education Perspective. AL GHAZALI: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pemikiran Islam, 6(5), 1911-1929.

Darmawan, D., Rohmatulloh, A. F., Rahman, M. H., Mardikaningsih, R., & Hariani, M. (2026). Profesionalisme Guru dalam Pengelolaan Kelas Virtual: Studi tentang Pengembangan Kompetensi Digital. IHSAN: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 4(3), 1188-1206.

Darmawan, D., Zahid, R. A., & Fajar, A. S. M. (2024). The Role of Blended Learning in Developing Students' Critical Thinking Skills in the Digital Age. Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 4(1), 71-86.

Faisal, A., Sri, S., & Setiadi, G. (2026). School culture and digital literacy's influence on elementary student character. ICCCM Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 5(2), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.53797/icccmjssh.v5i2.1.2026

Fajar, A. S. M., Fauzi, A., Darmawan, D., Putra, A. R., & Arifin, S. (2025). Transformation of Islamic Religious Education in the Digital Landscape and its Implications for Pedagogical Innovation. International Journal of Service Science, Management, Engineering, and Technology, 8(1), 15-20.

Hodijah, S., Hendrawan, J. H., & Tripuspita, N. (2026). Strategi inovatif berbasis digital dalam kegiatan kepramukaan terhadap pengembangan karakter murid Madrasah Aliyah Cikande Bandung Barat. NUSRA: Jurnal Penelitian dan Ilmu Pendidikan, 7(2), 698–709. https://doi.org/10.55681/nusra.v7i2.6265

Khayru, R. K., Ghozali, S., Darmawan, D., Putra, A. R., Arifin, S., Arrozi, F., ... & Al Mursyidi, B. M. (2024). Literasi digital sebagai pilar peningkatan kualitas pendidikan modern. Jurnal Pendidikan, Penelitian Dan Pengabdian Masyarakat, 4(2), 1-17.

Khayru, R. K., Issalillah, F., Mardikaningsih, R., Putra, A. R., & Darmawan, D. (2025, October). The Impact of Islamic Digital Literacy on College Students Mental Health and Charity Behavior. In Proceedings of International Conference on Educational Management (Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 103-113).

Kholid, K., & Darmawan, D. (2023). The influence of digital literacy and learning media utilization on student learning motivation. Fitrah: Journal of Islamic Education, 4(2), 393-403.

Kurniawan, Y., Darmawan, D., & Khayru, R. K. (2021). Social Media and Contemporary Youth Digital Literature. Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 1(2), 109-124.

Nasution, H. S., Basri, H., Batubara, W. W., & Mukhlasin, A. (2025). Islamic education teachers strategies for character building through digital literacy based Islamic values in the Society 5.0 era. Fitrah: Journal of Islamic Education, 6(1), 259–271.

Nasyiroh, S. H., Basyar, M., & Ramadhani, S. A. (2025). Pengaruh media sosial terhadap pembentukan akhlak siswa. Jurnal Insan Cendekia, 6(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.54012/jurnalinsancendekia.v6i1.568

Pamungkas, A. S., Darmawan, D., & Mahardikaningsih, R. (2026). The Influence of Digital Literacy on Student Learning Outcomes in High School. Molang: Journal Islamic Education, 4(2), 1-11.

Putra, P., Ilias, M. F., Hartono, R., Burhanuddin, B., Saputra, N., & Barsihanor, B. (2026). Digital literacy as a transformative framework for character education: A case study in madrasah ibtidaiyah. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 9(1), 33–51.

Rizal, M. I., El-Yunusi, M. Y. M., & Darmawan, D. (2024). Literasi Digital, Pemanfaatan Media Pembelajaran dan Kemandirian Belajar: Kontribusinya terhadap Prestasi Akademik di SMA Intensif Taruna Pembangunan Surabaya. EduInovasi: Journal of Basic Educational Studies, 4(2), 905-917.

Trisiana, A. (2020). Digital literation models for character education in globalization era. Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews, 8(1), 22–31.

Utaminingsih, E. S., Puspita, M. A., Ihsandi, A., Intania, B. Y., Prasetya, A. T., & Ellianawati, E. (2023a). A systematic literature review: The role of character-based digital literacy in 21st century learning in elementary schools. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(10), 829–840.

Utaminingsih, E. S., Ellianawati, E., Widiarti, N., Sumartiningsih, S., & Puspita, M. A. (2023b). A systematic review: Digital literacy for strengthening character in facing the era of Society 5.0. Research and Development Journal of Education, 9(2), 638–647.

Yudi, N., & Maryam, S. (2023). Pengaruh kompetensi literasi digital siswa terhadap efektivitas pendidikan karakter Islami di sekolah menengah kejuruan. Jurnal Pendidikan Karakter, 14(2), 123–137. https://doi.org/10.21831/jpka.v14i2.65200

Yulia, R., Henita, N., Gustiawan, R., & Erita, Y. (2022). Efforts to strengthen character education for elementary school students by utilizing digital literacy in Era 4.0. Journal of Digital Learning and Distance Education, 1(6), 240–249.

Zahid, R. A., & Darmawan, D. (2025). Reconceptualizing digital literacy dimensions as predictors of academic engagement and success in contemporary higher education. International Journal of Service Science, Management, Engineering, and Technology, 7(3), 18-24.

Zebua, E., Telaumbanua, W. A., Lase, A., & Laoli, E. S. (2024). Pengaruh kecakapan literasi digital guru terhadap penguatan pendidikan karakter siswa di SMK Negeri 1 Gunungsitoli Barat Tahun Pelajaran 2023/2024. Serunai: Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pendidikan, 10(2), 274–285.