From Expression to Responsibility: Shaping Students’ Digital Citizenship

Abstract

This community service initiative aimed to enhance digital legal literacy among students of Senior High School 25 Batam through a legal education program on privacy, freedom of expression, and hate speech prevention. Recognizing the limited student awareness of digital laws—particularly the ITE Law—this program adopted an interactive approach involving discussions, case simulations, and contextual materials. The results demonstrated significant improvements in students' understanding of the legal boundaries of online expression and the importance of ethical digital communication. Outputs such as educational modules and infographics supported continued learning, while student engagement fostered the formation of a community committed to responsible digital citizenship. The program highlights the need for integrating legal and digital literacy into school curricula and supports the use of restorative educational methods in addressing hate speech. This model may serve as a replicable framework for other institutions seeking to promote legal awareness and healthy online behavior among youth.