Ethics of Civil Servants in the Digital Realm and Restoring the Trust of Generation Z
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59890/ijarss.v4i6.31Keywords:
Digital Public Space, Government Legitimacy, Generation Z, Pancasila Ethics, Public AdministrationAbstract
The crisis of legitimacy in modern governance is exacerbated by the shift in unethical behavior by government officials from the real world to digital spaces such as TikTok and X. This study aims to analyze the deconstruction of ethical behavior among government officials in the digital public sphere and its implications for restoring the trust of Generation Z. Using a qualitative approach with a Narrative Literature Review method, this study screened literature published between 2020 and 2026 from indexed databases (including Publish or Perish, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Garuda, and Crossref). From the initial 48 articles, 19 key references were selected for thematic analysis. The results indicate that cyberspace has transformed into an arena of participatory surveillance for Generation Z through the “fluid solidarity” movement (digital ashabiyyah). This study concludes that restoring Generation Z’s affective trust requires the reconstruction of the bureaucracy through a servant leadership model and the internalization of Pancasila as living ethics. This conceptual approach is essential for transforming digital criticism into productive social capital for state legitimacy.
References
Adelia, V., Putri, N. H., Ramadhani, A., Ginting, M. R., Ananda, A., Armazumi, R., Hudi, I., & Riau, U. M. (2024). FORMATION OF ANTI-CORRUPTION CHARACTER IN GENERATION Z WITH THE PANCASILA ETHICS SYSTEM Vella. 1:1–9.
Ananditha, Y., Alfazry, R., Rhama, B., & Santoso, Y. A. (2025). Students' Perception of Public Trust Issues Regarding the Issue of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (Case Study: Department of State Administrative Sciences). 12(2), 697–708.
Ardiansyah Rizky Bagas, Subhan Ilham Thareq, A. P. Y. (2025). BEYOND REFORM LAW: CULTURAL LEGITIMACY IN MAINTAINING EARLY MARRIAGE IN CENTRAL KALIMANTAN. 14(2), 299–314.
Cahyati Fajar, Heridadi, Adi Subiyanto, W. (2025). UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR OF OFFICIALS AND THE CRISIS OF INDONESIAN POLITICAL LEGITIMACY 2025. 12(11), 4336–4342.
Fahira, D. (2025). CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN THE DRAFTING OF LEGISLATION IN INDONESIA: ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR LEGISLATIVE QUALITY AND PUBLIC. 6(10), 1–26.
Fardani, M. H., Wahyuliana, I., Boemiya, H., Madura, U. T., Bangkalan, K., & Timur, J. (2026). REVITALIZATION OF PANCASILA VALUES AS AN EFFORT TO PREVENT THE MORAL DEGRADATION OF GENERATION Z THROUGH PANCASILA SOCIALIZATION ACTIVITIES. 4(1).
Fitria, I. (2025). The Influence of Police Legitimacy Perception on Traffic Law Compliance in Generation Z in Southeast Aceh City: Perspective of Social Constructivism Theory. 4(2), 12955–12962.
Hannanda, H. (2024). Gen Z's Awareness of Socio-Political Dynamics in Indonesia: A Perspective on Ashabiyyah Theory Ibn Khaldun Hannanda Harriyani Introduction Generation Z (Gen Z), who were born between 1997 and 2012, has become an increasingly relevant research subject d. 4(1). https://doi.org/10.61476/bpkxy103.1
Hasanah, U., & Assyahri, W. (2024). Public Service Transformation for Generation Z: Preferences in Digital State Administration. 2(2), 185–199.
Hayani, F., Oktavia, I., Oktavia, R., Fania, S. A., Hanoselina, Y., Helmi, R. F., Science, P., Negara, A., Social, F. I., & Padang, U. N. (2024). Analysis of Ethical Problems of Government Officials from the Perspective of Public Administration. Sec. 4.
Hidayat Rahmatul, Sarfan Tabo, S. (2026). CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION: RESPONDING TO NETIZENS' POLARIZATION OF CONTROVERSIAL POLICIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA. 13, 630–645.
Marzi, G., Balzano, M., & Pellegrini, M. M. (2025). Guidelines for Bibliometric-Systematic Literature Reviews : 10 steps to combine analysis , synthesis and theory development. September 2024, 81–103. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12381
Oktari, Y., Mindarti, L. I., & Mindarti, S. (2023). The Urgency of Public Officials' Ethics and the Role of Generation Z in Public Administration Studies. 9(1), 11–20.
Puansah, I., Mahmudah, S., & Sarmento, A. D. A. (2026). Memperkuat Transparansi dan Kepercayaan Publik melalui Pendekatan Kepemimpinan Politik dan Pelayanan.
Puspamurti, G., & Najicha, F. U. (2023). Pengaruh Globalisasi Terhadap Nilai-Nilai Pancasila Dalam Kehidupan Generasi Z.
Rahmat, N. (2026). ETIKA ADMINISTRASI PUBLIK.
Ruhadi, H. R. U. (2025). Corruption Prevention Strategy in Indonesia through Strengthening Character Education of Pancasila Ethics. 5(2), 1734–1755.
Rustanta, A., Putranto, S. D., & Huang, P. (2025). Maintaining the Digital Public Space : Communication Ethics and Regulatory Challenges in the TikTok Era Menjaga Ruang Publik Digital : Tantangan Etika Komunikasi dan Regulasi di Era TikTok. 63–83.
Sabara, D Egi, M. F. A. (2026). KRISIS LEGITIMASI KEKUASAAN DAN TANTANGAN ETIKA POLITIK DALAM PEMERINTAHAN INDONESIA KONTEMPORER. 10(4), 56–63.
Susilawati, A., Sh, A., Al, M., Abduh, A., & Irwansyah, F. S. (2025). How to do research methodology: From Literature Review, Bibliometric, Step-by-step Research Stages, to Practical Examples in Science and Engineering Education. 10(1), 1–40.
Victor, L. (2024). REFORMASI BIROKRASI DAN INOVASI PELAYANAN PUBLIK DI INDONESIA.
Virginia Braun, V. C. (2021). Book Review Book Title : Thematic Analysis : A Practical Guide. 39(December 2024), 142–145.
Wahidin, D., & Aidah, S. S. (2025). From Clicks to Change : The Role of Generation Z in Reshaping Indonesian Politics. 4, 608–627. https://doi.org/10.26618/1xdqry81
