Digital Ethics and Objectification: A Character and Culturally Based Education Approach to Addressing Online Misconduct Toward Public Figures
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23917/varidika.v37i1.8796Keywords:
sexual objectification, social media, negative comments, educationAbstract
This study examines digital ethics violations through the sexual objectification of young female celebrities like Billie Eilish, whose culturally significant self-expression in works such as Lunch (2024) and Guess makes her a prime case study for analyzing online misconduct toward public figures. Employing Nussbaum's (1995) objectification framework and qualitative content analysis, the research reveals platform-specific patterns of harassment, with Instagram's visual interface fostering bodily fetishization while X/Twitter facilitates lyric-based vitriol, alongside the weaponization of artistic content for objectification purposes. These findings underscore the failure of current digital etiquette training and highlight the urgent need for character and culturally based education approaches that address online misconduct at its roots. By developing intersectional pedagogical strategies that examine platform architectures, deconstruct cultural narratives enabling public figure objectification, and cultivate critical awareness of digital power dynamics, this study proposes a paradigm shift from reactive moderation to proactive prevention. The research advocates for implementing culturally responsive character education programs incorporating real-world case studies of celebrity harassment, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 16 while offering practical solutions to transform online spaces through education that tackles both individual behavior and the structural factors perpetuating gendered cyberviolence.
Downloads
References
Azahra, S. A. (2024). Pengaruh Sosial Media Terhadap Body Image Pada Mahasiswa Di Universitas Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya [The Influence of Social Media on Body Image in Students at Bhayangkara University Jakarta Raya]. Indonesian Journal of Business Innovation, 1(1), 31–43. https://journal.drafpublisher.com/index.php/ijith/article/view/151
Burgess, J., & Baym, N. K. (2022). Twitter: A biography. NYU Press. https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv1n6pv7x
Buchanan, N., & Mahoney, A. (2022). Development of a scale measuring online sexual harassment: Examining gender differences and the emotional impact of sexual harassment victimization online. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 27(1), 63–81. https://doi.org/10.1111/lcrp.12197
Cahyono, A. S. (2020). Pengaruh Media Sosial Terhadap Perubahan Sosial Masyarakat Indonesia [The Influence of Social Media on Social Change in Indonesian Society]. Publiciana, 5 (2), 202–225. https://doi.org/10.36563/publiciana.v9i1.79
Creswell, J. W., Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Britania Raya: SAGE Publications. https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/research-design/book270550
de Lenne, O., Vandenbosch, L., Smits, T., & Eggermont, S. (2023). Experimental research on non-idealized models: A systematic literature review. Body Image, 47, 101640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.101640
Fasoli, F., Durante, F., Mari, S., Zogmaister, C., & Volpato, C. (2018). Shades of sexualization: When sexualization becomes sexual objectification. Sex Roles, 78, 338-351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-017-0808-1
Global Social Media Statistics. (2024). DataReportal. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://datareportal.com/social-media-users
Hendaryan, R., Hidayat, T., & Herliani, S. (2022). Pelaksanaan literasi digital dalam meningkatkan kemampuan literasi siswa [Implementation of digital literacy in improving students' literacy skills]. Literasi: Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia serta Pembelajarannya, 6(1), 142-151. http://dx.doi.org/10.25157/literasi.v6i1.7218
Jütten, T. (2016). Sexual Objectification. Ethics, 127, 27–49. https://nomorepage3.wordpress.com.
Khanom, M. T. (2023). Using social media marketing in the digital era: A necessity or a choice. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478), 12(3), 88–98. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v12i3.2507
Koester, D., & Marcus, R. (2024). How does social media influence gender norms among adolescent boys? A review of evidence. www.alignplatform.org
Maarouf, A., Pröllochs, N., & Feuerriegel, S. (2024). The Virality of Hate Speech on Social Media. The ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 1–22. http://arxiv.org/abs/2210.13770
Marlef, A., Masyhuri, M., & Muda, Y. (2024). Mengenal dan Mencegah Cyberbullying: Tantangan Dunia Digital [Recognizing and Preventing Cyberbullying: The Challenges of the Digital World]. Journal of Education Research, 5(3), 4002–4010. https://doi.org/10.37985/jer.v5i3.1295
Mayolaika, S., Effendy, V. V., Delvin, C., & Hanif, M. A. (2021). Pengaruh Kebebasan Berpendapat Di Sosial Media Terhadap Perubahan Etika Dan Norma Remaja Indonesia [The Influence of Freedom of Opinion on Social Media on Changes in Ethics and Norms of Indonesian Teenagers]. Jurnal Kewarganegaraan, 5(2), 826–836. https://doi.org/10.31316/jk.v5i2.2083
Mustofa, M., & Budiwati, B. H. (2019). Proses Literasi Digital Terhadap Anak: Tantangan Pendidikan di Zaman Now [The Digital Literacy Process for Children: Educational Challenges in the Present Era]. Pustakaloka, 11(1), 114–130. https://doi.org/10.21154/pustakaloka.v11i1.1619
Nussbaum, M. C. (1995). Objectification. Philosophy & Public Affairs, 24(4), 249-291. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1088-4963.1995.tb00032.x
Pahrijal, R., Hasibuan, K., & Supriandi, S. (2023). Analisis Tantangan dalam menghadapi pelecehan seksual Terhadap generasi millenial Dan Gen Z [Analysis of Challenges in Dealing with Sexual Harassment Against Millennials and Gen Z]. Jurnal Hukum Dan HAM Wara Sains, 2(10), 931–941. https://doi.org/10.58812/jhhws.v2i10.706
Pecini, C., Guizzo, F., Bonache, H., Borges-Castells, N., Morera, M. D., & Vaes, J. (2023). Sexual objectification: advancements and avenues for future research. Current opinion in behavioral sciences, 50, 101261. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000010378450
Pew Research Center. (2024, November). Social Media Fact Sheet. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/social-media/
Sahidillah, M. W., & Miftahurrisqi, P. (2019). Whatsapp sebagai media literasi digital siswa [Whatsapp as a digital literacy media for students]. Jurnal Varidika, 31(1), 52-57. https://doi.org/10.23917/varidika.v1i1.8904
Samosir, A. (2024). Penggunaan Majas pada Kolom Komentar Instagram Mahkamah Konstitusi [The Use of Majas in the Constitutional Court's Instagram Comment Column]. INNOVATIVE: Journal Of Social Science Research, 4(3), 10627–10633. https://j-innovative.org/index.php/Innovative
Sari, N. M. D. S., Suastini, K., Anggawati, P. D. Y., Dinanti, D. P., Putri, N. L. W. A., & Ardianti, N. P. K. (2024). Mencegah Bully di Sekolah Dasar [Preventing Bully in Elementary School]. Nilacakra. https://penerbitnilacakra.com/product/mencegah-bully-di-sekolah-dasar/
Schär, J. (2024). Sexual Harassment Against Cabin Crew in Aviation Industry [Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences]. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024052013703
Tahir, M., & Agustin, R. (2023). Netnographic Stereotypes Of Muslim Women On Instagram: A Gender Dynamics In Comedy Content. Al-A’raf : Jurnal Pemikiran Islam Dan Filsafat, 20(1), 115–144. https://doi.org/10.22515/ajpif.v20i1.7593
Tyas, M., Dan, P., & Endahati, N. (2019). Kesantunan Berbahasa Di Media Sosial Online: Tinjauan Deskriptif Pada Komentar Berita Politik Di Facebook [Politeness in Speaking on Online Social Media: A Descriptive Review of Political News Comments on Facebook]. Jurnal Skripta, 5(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31316/skripta.v5i1.125
van Oosten, J. M. F. (2021). Adolescent girls’ use of social media for challenging sexualization. Gender, Technology and Development, 25(1), 22–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/09718524.2021.1880039
Vendemia, M. A., & Fox, J. (2024). How social media images of sexualized young women elicit appearance commentary from their peers and reinforce objectification. Body Image, 49, 101683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101683
Wahab, A. (2022). Penguatan Pendidikan Karakter Melalui Literasi Digital Sebagai Strategi Dalam Menuju Pembelajaran Imersif Era 4.0 [Strengthening Character Education Through Digital Literacy as a Strategy in Towards Immersive Learning in the 4.0 Era]. Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Konseling, 4(5), 4644-4653.
Ward, L.M., Daniels, E.A., Zurbriggen, E.L. et al. (2023). The sources and consequences of sexual objectification. Nat Rev Psychol 2, 496–513. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44159-023-00192-x
Widodo, J. (2020). Objektifikasi pada tokoh Sita dalam novel Sitayana Karya Cok Sawitri. KEMBARA: Jurnal Keilmuan Bahasa, Sastra, Dan Pengajarannya, 6(2), 279–291. https://doi.org/10.22219/kembara.v6i2.27965
Xie, M. (2024). “Person-I” or “Person-E”: A Study on the Difference of Self-Disclosure between Adolescents in Virtual and Realistic Situations from the Perspective of MBTI Personality Test. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 17(1), 2770–6702. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.54097/7v75mj61
Yulieta, F. T., Syafira, H. N. A., Alkautsar, M. H., Maharani, S., & Audrey, V. (2021). Pengaruh Cyberbullying di Media Sosial Terhadap Kesehatan Mental [The Effect of Cyberbullying on Social Media on Mental Health]. De Cive : Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Pancasila Dan Kewarganegaraan, 1(8). https://doi.org/10.56393/decive.v1i8.298
Zemler, E. (2024, May 22). Watch Billie Eilish Perform ‘Lunch,’ Discuss Her New Album on ‘Colbert.’ Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/billie-eilish-lunch-performance-colbert-1235025424/
Downloads
Submitted
Accepted
Published
Versions
- 05/10/2025 (5)
- 05/10/2025 (4)
- 05/10/2025 (3)
- 05/10/2025 (2)
- 05/06/2025 (1)
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Alaiky Uswatul Ulya, Susiati
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
