Digital Theory, Culture & Society
Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): July

Digital literacy and gender in Islamic religious education: Challenges and opportunities in the Indonesian context

Ridha Aulia (Master Program in Islamic Religious Education, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta)
Dwi Kurnianingrum (Department of Islamic Religious Education, Universitas Islam Negeri Syekh Wasil, Kediri)
Monica Sundawati Susanto (Department of Sociology, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Gunung Djati, Bandung)
Heni Hurhaeni (Jakarta Health Polytechnic, Ministry of Health, Jakarta)
Hardika Ajeng Hapsari (Language Development and Fostering Agency, Jakarta)



Article Info

Publish Date
19 Jul 2026

Abstract

The advancement of digital technology has transformed how Islamic knowledge is accessed, studied, and disseminated within Islamic Religious Education (PAI) in Indonesia. While these developments create new pedagogical opportunities, they also raise gender-related issues concerning access, participation, moral control, and women’s authority in digital spaces. This study examines the relationship between digital literacy, gender, and Islamic Religious Education (PAI), positioning women as both learners and educators. Using a library research approach, it reviews scholarly literature on digital literacy, Islamic education, gender, and digital learning, focusing primarily on Indonesia while drawing on selected global scholarship for conceptual support. A critical gender-sensitive perspective is employed to analyze digital literacy not merely as a technical skill but as a form of critical religious competence. The findings indicate that digital literacy in PAI encompasses the ability to evaluate Islamic information, identify authoritative sources, practice digital ethics, and interpret religion contextually. Although digital spaces can expand women’s access, participation, and authority, they also reproduce social surveillance and gender-based restrictions. Therefore, PAI should foster digital literacy that is critical, ethical, inclusive, and gender-sensitive, particularly in formal educational settings such as schools and madrasahs.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

dtcs

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences Other

Description

This journal covers various issues of today digital era as well as the intersection of social, cultural, economics and humanities disciplines in highlighting the theoretical and practical sides of the digital culture and society: social media and digital society, gender and digital culture, religion ...