Communication Challenges of Outer Baduy Youth in the Digital Era: A SWOT Analysis

Abstract

This study analyzes the communication challenges faced by Outer Baduy youth amid the increasingly pervasive penetration of digital technology. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research combines in-depth interviews with traditional leaders, youth representatives, cultural experts, and academics, along with a review of recent literature. SWOT analysis is employed as a framework to map the community’s internal strengths, such as strong social cohesion and cultural adaptability; internal weaknesses, such as limited technology access and indigenous media literacy; external opportunities, including supportive policies, digital economy trends, and growing appreciation of local culture; and external threats, related to cultural erosion, media exploitation, and pressures of globalization. These conditions reflect a form of digital marginalization that challenges the community’s ability to access and critically engage with digital content. The results indicate that Outer Baduy youth can serve as strategic bridges between tradition and modernity. The study proposes SWOT-based communication strategies that are adaptive, culturally informed, and community-empowering. In this way, communication becomes not only a means of preserving cultural identity but also a strategic tool to strengthen cultural sustainability and enhance the competitiveness of indigenous communities in the digital era.