ANALYSIS OF INTERNET UTILISATION BY HOUSEHOLDS FOR PRODUCTIVE FAMILY ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF ISLAMIC ECONOMICS: CASE STUDY IN MEDAN CITY

This research analyzes the use of the internet by Muslim households in Medan City to support productive family economic activities from an Islamic economic perspective. Internet penetration is 79.65% in Medan City with internet use in households predominantly for entertainment. This study also explores the opportunities and challenges of utilizing the internet for more productive activities, especially sharia-based online business and online education. The qualitative approach in this research was a survey of 70 Muslim families in Medan City. The research results show that although 72% of respondents are aware of the internet's potential in improving the family economy, only 31% agree that the internet has been used optimally for productive activities. The main obstacles found were a lack of online business training (60% of respondents) and limited access to stable digital infrastructure. However, there is a strong desire from 90% of respondents to increase sharia-based digital literacy, with the hope that the internet can be used more productively in accordance with sharia principles. This research also highlights the importance of government and private sector support in increasing digital literacy and providing adequate infrastructure, so that the internet can be used to support productive economic activities in accordance with Islamic economic principles. The findings of this research confirm that sharia-based internet use can be the key to driving a fair and sustainable family economy.