Communication Technology in Building the Participation of Purwokerto Youth in Social and Religious Activities

The development of communication technology has brought significant changes to the pattern of youth participation, including in Purwokerto, where social media and instant messaging applications are the main means of supporting social and religious activities. This study aims to understand how communication technology is used by Purwokerto adolescents in building socio-religious participation, as well as the driving and inhibiting factors they face. Using a qualitative approach of case studies, data was collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observations, and digital documentation analysis. The results show that social media facilitates the rapid dissemination of information, coordination, and mobilization of participation and expands the reach of activities. Adolescents are not only recipients of information, but also content producers and organizers of activities, according to the perspective of mass communication theory and uses and gratifications. This phenomenon is in line with the theory of digital civic participation that emphasizes the role of social media as a new public space for adolescents. However, this study also found challenges in the form of misinformation, information saturation, and digital literacy inequality. Therefore, strengthening digital literacy and communication ethics is an important aspect so that communication technology can function optimally in building adolescents' social and religious participation in a positive and sustainable manner.