Transformation of Understanding Religion and Media: A Reception Study on Parenting for the Beta Generation in Surabaya

Abstract

This study examines the transformation of religious understanding in the context of parenting the Beta generation, a generation born in the post-digital era with a high dependence on technology. This shift indicates that digital media has become the primary source of religious information for adolescents, replacing traditional methods such as lectures or direct interpretation. In this context, parents face the challenge of bridging traditional religious values ​​with the habits of children growing up in a digital ecosystem. The research method used was a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore parenting experiences and practices in Surabaya. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation studies with parents and religious leaders. Descriptive phenomenological analysis was applied to identify key patterns in the transformation of religious understanding influenced by technology. The results show that parents adopt various strategies in educating their children, including the use of faith-based applications, but there is a variation in the reception of religious values, ranging from full acceptance to negotiation and rejection. Key challenges include the fragmentation of digital information and the gap in understanding between generations. This research contributes to the development of practical guidance for parents in integrating religious values ​​with technology-based parenting.