What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to explore how religious education can serve as an ethical foundation to improve student character amid digital challenges.

June 1, 2026Open Access

Revitalizing Religious Education as an Ethical Foundation for Transforming Student Character in the Digital Era

Key Points

The aim is to explore how religious education can serve as an ethical foundation to improve student character amid digital challenges.
Qualitative approach using library research and content analysis
Examination of digital deindividuation and its effect on self-control
Integration of framework including Media Ecology Theory, Virtue Ethics, and Critical Pedagogy
Curriculum should be reconstructed to include contextual Digital Fiqh.
Pedagogical methods must shift from indoctrination to dialogical-reflective approaches.
There should be a focus on strengthening self-filtering mechanisms based on transcendental awareness.

Abstract

Abstract: Amidst the massive flow of technological transformation, the world of education faces an anomaly in the form of ethical disparity, where students' digital technical skills are not accompanied by adequate moral maturity. This article examines the urgency of revitalizing religious education as an ethical anchor to mitigate character degradation in cyberspace, such as cyberbullying, hoaxes, and the loss of empathy. Using a qualitative approach through library research and content analysis, this study dissects the phenomenon of digital deindividuation that often erodes students' self-control due to anonymity in cyberspace. The theoretical framework used integrates Media Ecology Theory, Virtue Ethics, and Critical Pedagogy. The results of the study indicate that the revitalization of religious education must address three fundamental aspects: (1) curriculum reconstruction through the development of contextual Digital Fiqh, (2) pedagogical transformation from an indoctrination pattern to a dialogical-reflective one, and (3) strengthening self-filtering mechanisms based on transcendental awareness (Ihsan). This article concludes that progressive religious education serves not only as a ritual transfer of knowledge, but as a moral operating system that equips students with digital empathy and integrity. The synergy between teacher role models, an adaptive curriculum, and religious internal controls is key to producing digital citizens who excel intellectually and have strong character. Keywords: Revitalization of Religious Education, Digital Character, Cyber Ethics, Transformative Pedagogy, Religious Literacy. Title: Revitalizing Religious Education as an Ethical Foundation for Transforming Student Character in the Digital Era Author: Ida Maiyanti A. Rajamuddin, Muhammad Saleh Intang, Adnan International Journal of Recent Research in Social Sciences and Humanities (IJRRSSH) ISSN 2349-7831 Vol. 13, Issue 2, April 2026 - June 2026 Page No: 5-15 Paper Publications Website: www.paperpublications.org Published Date: 27-May-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20414745 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.paperpublications.org/upload/book/Revitalizing%20Religious%20Education%20as%20an%20Ethical-26052026-7.pdf

Revitalizing Religious Education as an Ethical Foundation for Transforming Student Character in the Digital Era

Key Points

Abstract

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