DIGITAL MEDIA AND THE DIFFUSION OF FRUGAL LIVING: STRENGTHENING GENERATION Z’S FINANSIAL LITERACY

Authors

  • Indi Azzahra Ibtihal Universitas Pancasila
  • Aprilianti Pratiwi Universitas Pancasila

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52423/jikuho.v11i1.2043

Keywords:

Difusi Inovasi, Frugal Living, Generasi Z, Literasi Keuangan, Media Digital

Abstract

Generation Z in Indonesia faces a gap between financial inclusion and literacy, prompting them to seek more adaptive financial management strategies, including frugal living, which is popular through digital media. This study aims to analyze the stages of frugal living adoption and the role of digital media as a communication channel that shapes Generation Z's understanding and practice of frugal living. Using a descriptive qualitative method, data was obtained through in-depth interviews with four informants, namely three Generation Z individuals and one content creator. The analysis was conducted using the Miles & Huberman model based on Rogers' five stages of adoption. The results show that digital media serve as the main source of knowledge formation and reinterpretation of the concept of frugal living. The findings show that there are variations in adoption patterns, where early adopters internalize practices stably, the early majority implement strategies gradually and are more structured, while the late majority tend to be reactive and inconsistent. This study concludes that digital media plays a strategic role in facilitating the adoption process while strengthening Generation Z's financial literacy. The findings enrich the study of innovation diffusion and provide a basis for the development of more effective digital financial communications.

References

Aisa, N. N., & Silalahi, F. H. (2024). Analisis Literasi Keuangan Gen-Z: Studi Kasus pada Mahasiswa Akuntansi. Journal of Ecotourism and Rural Planning, 1(4). https://doi.org/10.47134/jbhi.v1i4.385

Alim, A. M., Margareta, A. M., Yuanna, D., & Maharani, A. (2025). Exploring The Role of Frugal Living and Digital Financial Inclusion to Saving’s Intention Within Indonesia’s Gen Z. Jurnal Manajemen, 16(1), 239–251. https://doi.org/10.32832/jm-uika.v16i1.18151

Amalia, A., Darajat, D. M., Haribowo, I., Ahmad, R. U., Asmu’i, A., & Furqon, A. A. (2023). Culture and Economic Resilience of “Baduy Tribe” in Indonesia. Wseas Transactions on Environment and Development, 19, 427–436. https://doi.org/10.37394/232015.2023.19.40

Ansori, A. S., Ayu Julia Putri, N., Mukarromah, N., & Hayat. (2024). Peran Regulasi dalam Mendorong Inovasi dan Kualitas Pelayanan Publik: Tinjauan pada Sektor Pendidikan. Idarotuna : Journal of Administrative Science, 5(1), 63–70. https://doi.org/10.54471/idarotuna.v5i1.89

Asosiasi Penyelenggara Jasa Internet Indonesia. (2025). Survei Penetrasi Internet Dan Perilaku Penggunaan Internet [Survei]. Asosiasi Penyelenggara Jasa Internet Indonesia.

Atay, A. (2024). Gen Z, Explained: The Art of Living in a Digital Age. Contemporary Sociology: A Journal of Reviews, 53(3), 257–259. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2020.8611

Atsir, D. F. (2024, October 23). Konten Media Sosial Favorit Warga Indonesia. Goodstats. https://data.goodstats.id/statistic/konten-media-sosial-favorit-warga-indonesia-ON7s9

Berg, B. L., & Lune, H. (2017). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences (9th ed.). Pearson.

Chamida, R. N., Larasati, D. A., & Surjanti, J. (2025). Pengaruh Literasi Keuangan, Gaya Hidup, Dan Financial Distress Terhadap Perilaku Keuangan Mahasiswa Universitas Negeri Surabaya Dengan Cashless Society Sebagai Variabel Moderasi. Dialektika: Pendidikan IPS, 5(2), 291–301.

Cirus, L., & Simonova, I. (2021). Pupils’ Digital Literacy Reflected in Teachers’ Attitudes Towards ICT: Case Study of the Czech Republic. SN Computer Science, 2(231), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42979-021-00567-y

CNBC Indonesia. (2025, February 26). Warga RI Makin Demen Belanja Online, Nilainya Ribuan Triliun. CNBC Indonesia. https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/research/20250226183106-128-613957/warga-ri-makin-demen-belanja-online-nilainya-ribuan-triliun

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2022). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (6th ed.). SAGE.

Dewantoro, R., Sariani, S., & Suriono, H. (2025). Transformation of Generation Z’s consumption behavior in the digital ecosystem: A theoretical review of social media-based marketing strategies. Priviet Social Sciences Journal, 5(5), 102–110. https://doi.org/10.55942/pssj.v5i5.619

Efendi, Y., Kristanti, S., Ridwan, Q. U., & Stellarosa, Y. (2024). Diffusion of Innovation Process of the ESQ Public Speaking Model in the Communication Training Development. Jurnal Komunikasi Ikatan Sarjana Komunikasi Indonesia, 9(2), 452–462. https://doi.org/10.25008/jkiski.v9i2.1029

Erwin, E., Saununu, S. J., & Rukmana, A. Y. (2023). The Influence of Social Media Influencers on Generation Z Consumer Behavior in Indonesia. West Science Interdisciplinary Studies, 1(10), 1028–1038. https://doi.org/10.58812/wsis.v1i10.317

Hartantri, R., Setyadi, B., & Gunarto, M. (2024). Analysis of the Effect of Frugal Living on Employee Financial Management in Achieving Financial Freedom. International Journal of Finance Research, 5(1), 103–113. https://doi.org/10.47747/ijfr.v5i1.1700

Hasanah, N., & Badria, N. (2024). Frugal Living: Perspektif Generasi Z Melalui Pendekatan Kualitatif. Ekspektasi: Jurnal Pendidikan Ekonomi, 9(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.37478/jpe.v9i1.4095

Hassan, S. S., Meisner, K., Krause, K., Bzhalava, L., & Moog, P. (2024). Is digitalization a source of innovation? Exploring the role of digital diffusion in SME innovation performance. Small Business Economics, 62(4), 1469–1491. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-023-00826-7

Herna, H., & Ramadani, P. R. (2024). Diffusion of Innovation in Hospitals: Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of Using Instagram. Jurnal Komunikasi Ikatan Sarjana Komunikasi Indonesia, 9(2), 362–369. https://doi.org/10.25008/jkiski.v9i2.1134

Hidayat, M., Irwandy, D., & Assegaf, A. H. (2025). Diffusion of Organic Agriculture Communication Innovations as an Effort to Mitigate Climate Change. Jurnal Komunikasi Ikatan Sarjana Komunikasi Indonesia, 10(11), 49–50. https://doi.org/10.25008/jkiski.v10i1.1185

Jagadish, A., Freni-Sterrantino, A., He, Y., O’ Garra, T., Gecchele, L., Mangubhai, S., Govan, H., Tawake, A., Tabunakawai Vakalalabure, M., Mascia, M. B., & Mills, M. (2024). Scaling Indigenous-led natural resource management. Global Environmental Change, 84, 102799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2024.102799

Kellison, T., & Hong, S. (2023). Innovation Diffusion in the Sustainable Design of Sport Venues. Journal of Applied Sport Management., 15(4), 5–13. https://doi.org/10.7290/jasm-2023-V15-I4-DZax

Kim, H. J. M., & Chakraborty, S. (2024). Exploring the diffusion of digital fashion and influencers’ social roles in the Metaverse: An analysis of Twitter hashtag networks. Internet Research, 34(1). https://doi.org/10.1108/INTR-09-2022-0727

Kurniawan, B., Rahaju, T., Tauran, & Maria Hukubun, M. (2024). Innovation Diffusion of Digital Application in Supporting Waste Management in Sidoarjo Regency. Journal La Sociale, 5(1), 21–28. https://doi.org/10.37899/journal-la-sociale.v5i1.924

Kusumawardhany, P. A. (2023). Frugal Lifestyle Trend Among Generation Z: How Do They Spend Money? Proceedings of the 19th International Symposium on Management (INSYMA 2022), 223, 331–338. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-008-4_43

Malik, C., Faza Auliya, N., & Iqbal, M. (2022). Penggunaan Aplikasi Peduli Lindungi Oleh Lansia Ditinjau Dari Teori Difusi Inovasi. Avant Garde, 10(2), 159. https://doi.org/10.36080/ag.v10i2.1921

Margaretha, M. (2022, January 13). 10 Kebutuhan Rutin Gen Z Hasil Survei Zigi-KIC, Pulsa Internet No.1. Katadata. https://katadata.co.id/zigi/lifestyle/667c3dc48427f/10-kebutuhan-rutin-gen-z-hasil-survei-zigi-kic-pulsa-internet-no-1

Miftahudin. (2025, June 1). OJK Minta Bantuan Gen Z Sunat Kesenjangan Literasi-Inklusi Keuangan. MetroTV. https://www.metrotvnews.com/read/ba4Cz1Ym-ojk-minta-bantuan-gen-z-sunat-kesenjangan-literasi-inklusi-keuanga

Nsereka, B. G. (2021). Diffusion of Innovation and Globalization of New Media in Third World Countries. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 05(09), 273–279. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2021.5904

Nugroho, A. S., & Albab, U. (2023). The Impact of Economics Education on The Frugal Lifestyle Attitude of 12th-Grade Students. Ideguru: Jurnal Karya Ilmiah Guru, 9(1), 141–146. https://doi.org/10.51169/ideguru.v9i1.716

Otoritas Jasa Keuangan. (2025, May 2). Siaran Pers Bersama: Indeks Literasi dan Inklusi Keuangan Masyarakat Meningkat OJK dan BPS Umumkan Hasil Survei Nasional Literasi Dan Inklusi Keuangan (SNLIK) Tahun 2025. Otoritas Jasa Keuangan. https://ojk.go.id/id/berita-dan-kegiatan/siaran-pers/Pages/OJK-dan-BPS-Umumkan-Hasil-Survei-Nasional-Literasi-Dan-Inklusi-Keuangan-SNLIK-Tahun-2025.aspx

Riang, Y., Silaban, D. I., Bouk, H. S., Bataona, M. R., & Mandira, U. K. W. (2025). Dinamika Komunikasi Organisasi dalam Implementasi Inovasi Sevima Edlink di Universitas Katolik Widya Mandira Kupang. Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi UHO : Jurnal Penelitian Kajian Ilmu Sosial dan Informasi, 10(4), 523–533. https://doi.org/10.52423/jikuho.v10i4.1868

Rijal, S., Tadampali, A. C. T., & Mutmainna, A. I. (2025). The Influence of Digital Literacy and Income on the Consumptive Behavior of Generation Z in Gowa Regency with E-Commerce Usage as a Moderating Variable. International Journal of Business, Law, and Education, 6(1), 598–610. https://doi.org/10.310004/innovative.v5i2.18611

Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of Innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.

Situmorang, K. B., & Christin, M. (2023). Pengaruh Konten Review Buku terhadap Minat Baca pada Followers Tiktok Meisya Sallwa. Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi UHO : Jurnal Penelitian Kajian Ilmu Komunikasi dan Informasi, 8(3), 523–533. https://doi.org/10.52423/jikuho.v8i3.96

White, J. (2021). The frugal life and why we should educate for it. London Review of Education, 19(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.14324/LRE.19.1.13

Yuniar, R. W. (2024, November 21). Indonesia’s planned 12% VAT rate angers public, sparks “structural frugal living” boycott. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3287401/indonesias-planned-12-vat-rate-angers-public-sparks-structural-frugal-living-boycott

Downloads

Published

2026-01-31