Pentingnya Pendidikan Patriotisme bagi Gen-Z

Abstract

Abstract. Generation Z is the largest population group in Indonesia and has grown up in a digital environment filled with global cultural and information flows, which raises concerns about the strength of their attachment to the homeland. This article aims to explain why patriotism education matters for Generation Z and how it should be delivered. The study applied a literature review with a descriptive qualitative approach. Secondary data were drawn from national population census results, internet penetration surveys, and 20 journal articles, nearly all published between 2022 and 2026, and were analyzed thematically. The findings show that Generation Z makes up 27.94 percent of the population and is almost fully connected to the internet. Patriotism remains present among them, but it is often expressed through everyday and digital practices rather than formal ceremonies, while their knowledge of national history and ideology is still limited. The reviewed studies also report that civic, Pancasila, and national defense education, digital literacy, and cooperation among family, school, and state are associated with stronger national character. The implication is that patriotism education should be contextual, make use of digital media, and be integrated with digital literacy.

Keywords: digital literacy; Generation Z; national character; patriotism education; social media