Empowering Civil Society in the Digital Era: Preventing Lagging Behind in the Digital Civilization Nisa Al Iffah Universitas Andalas. Indonesia Corresponding autor, email: nisaaliffah28@gmail. ARTICLE INFO Keywords: Civil Society Empowerment. Digital Civilization. Civil Participation. Digital Lagging Available Online: https://jurnal. /index. php/serunai p-ISSN: 2807-6931 e-ISSN: 2807-5870 A B S T R A CABSTRACT This research explores the important role of civil society empowerment in facing the increasingly advancing digital In an era where digital technology dominates every aspect of life, civil society needs to be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and resources required to fully benefit from this digital revolution. This study identifies challenges faced by civil society in the context of digital technology, including unequal access, information security, digital literacy, and ethical Additionally, the research also explores strategies and solutions that can be used to empower civil society, enabling them to actively participate in the digital civilization and prevent potential lagging behind. The findings of this research provide valuable insights into how civil society can contribute to shaping an inclusive and just future digital civilization. INTRODUCTION The digital civilization plays a crucial role in the modern era for civil In this context, digital civilization refers to the massive transformation that has occurred alongside the development of This affects nearly every aspect of our lives, and the importance of digital civilization cannot be overlooked. One vital aspect of digital civilization is easier access to information. With the internet, information from around the world can be accessed quickly and easily. This provides opportunities for civil society to access relevant knowledge, news, and data, which can be used to enhance understanding, make better decisions, and participate in public discussions. Additionally, digital civilization enables active participation in political and social life. Social media and other online platforms allow people to communicate, organize, and express their opinions effectively. This has a significant impact on strengthening the voice of civil society in terms of human rights enforcement, advocating social issues, and Digital civilization also supports innovation and Companies and individuals can use digital technology to create new products and services, explore business opportunities, and participate in the global economy. This creates new job opportunities and drives sustainable economic growth. Civil society faces several significant challenges in keeping up with the rapid digital developments in the modern era. One of the main challenges is privacy and data security issues. With a plethora of personal information stored and shared online, the risk of data breaches and misuse of personal information is increasing. Civil society must continuously strive to protect their personal data and understand the importance of privacy policies and cyber security practices. Additionally, access inequality is another issue. Although digital technology has provided access to various information and services, there is still a large portion of the population that lacks equal access to the internet and related This inequality can deepen social and economic disparities, so civil society needs to work together to ensure more equitable digital access. Another challenge is the spread of misinformation and hoaxes. Social media and online platforms enable the rapid dissemination of false or misleading information. This can disrupt decision-making processes, trigger conflicts, and erode public trust. Civil society needs to be savvy consumers and participate in efforts to address these issues. Furthermore, the role and impact of digital technology in work and the economy are also important issues. Automation and robotics may replace human jobs, affecting employment opportunities and requiring changes in required skills. Civil society should be involved in discussions about the future of work and ensure that efforts are made to create inclusive economic Lastly, challenges related to digital ethics must also be addressed. Questions about how technology should be used, including in the context of artificial intelligence and government surveillance, require careful debate and regulation. Civil society has an important role in monitoring and influencing the use of technology in ways that align with societal values and In facing all of these challenges, civil society plays a crucial role in advocating for change, collaborating with governments, the private sector, and other organizations, and raising awareness about the positive and negative impacts of the digital civilization in the modern era. Through deeper understanding and action regarding various aspects of the digital civilization, this essay aims to encourage the empowerment of civil society in preventing lagging behind in this era. By highlighting the challenges and opportunities, this essay seeks to provide insights into how civil society can actively participate in the digital transformation, protect their rights, and ensure that the positive impacts of digital technology are felt by all layers of society (Dinata, 2. LITERATURE REVIEW Empowerment The framework of community empowerment theory can be used to understand how civil society can be empowered in the digital context. This theory discusses the concepts of empowerment, capacity building, and the active role of individuals or groups in decision-making and social change. In the digital era, empowering civil society information, participate in public discussions, and influence policies related to digital technology. The theory of importance of providing knowledge, skills, resources, and autonomy to civil society so that they can effectively participate in the digital civilization. the digital era, empowerment includes understanding technology and digital literacy, enabling people to take control of their experiences and interactions in the virtual world. It also means providing them with the ability to understand important issues such as privacy, security, and access to information. Empowerment theory asserts that when civil society has the necessary knowledge and tools, they can more actively participate in digital debates, influence policies, and ensure that digital technological advancements provide equal and sustainable benefits to all society, thereby reducing the potential for lagging behind in the digital including through social media, online campaigns, and digital advocacy. emphasizes the key role of civil society in the democratization process and decisionmaking. This theory underscores that civil society must actively engage in social, political, and economic issues that affect In the rapidly evolving digital era, civil participation through social media, online platforms, and non-governmental organizations allows people to participate in discussions, advocate for their interests, and monitor governments and other This contributes to the formation of more inclusive and equitable policies and ensures that the benefits of digital technology are felt evenly across all sectors of society. Therefore, the theory of civil participation serves as an important foundation for understanding how civil society can play a more active and significant role in facing the continually evolving digital civilization. Digital Divide This theory focuses on the digital access gap between various groups within Researchers can utilize this framework to understand how inequality in access to and utilization of digital technology can affect the empowerment of civil society. By comprehending the factors causing this inequality, research can identify solutions to prevent lagging behind in the digital civilization. Moreover, the theory refers to the understanding that not all individuals or groups have the same access, skills, or capacity to utilize digital technology. This theory identifies digital inequality as a serious issue within society, with some having full access and abilities to use digital technology while others are left In the rapidly evolving digital era, this inequality can result in disparities in opportunities, and participation in social Therefore, understanding the theory of digital lag serves as an important foundation for exploring efforts to empower civil society in addressing this inequality by providing the access, skills, and support needed to engage the entire population in the continually evolving digital civilization. Digital Ethics Theory This theoretical framework helps in understanding the ethical issues arising from the use of digital technology, such as privacy, data security, and surveillance. Research understanding and application of digital ethics principles can influence the empowerment of civil society in facing the digital era. This theory refers to the moral and ethical principles that should be followed in the use and development of digital technology. It emphasizes the importance of considering the social impact, privacy, security, and human rights in every aspect of the digital civilization. an era where technology has an increasingly significant influence on everyday life, digital ethics becomes an important guideline for civil society in ensuring that the evolving digital civilization adheres to values and principles underlying justice and social Therefore, digital ethics theory plays a crucial role in guiding the actions and Civil Participation This theory relates to how civil society can participate in political and social processes. In the digital context, this research can explore how digital technology influences civil participation, decisions of civil society in responsibly contributing to the development of a sustainable and beneficial digital civilization for all (Rahmat, et al. , 2. The frameworks of these theories can help research delve deeper into analyzing the empowerment of civil society in the digital era and identifying the factors that influence their success in preventing lagging behind in the digital civilization. text/data interpreted. Analysis was one of authorAos understanding by analyzing its truthfulness through the opinions of experts, which were then extracted into the meaning and essence of these expert opinions. DISCUSSION