Fostering Critical Thinking in Indonesian Youth through Character Education

Abstract

Character education plays a crucial role in shaping the personality of Indonesian youth to be responsible, integrity-driven, and critically minded. In the context of globalization and technological advancement, young generations face challenges such as moral degradation, instant thinking, and the widespread dissemination of unverified information. This study aims to analyze the role of character education in fostering critical thinking skills among Indonesian youth. The research employs a literature review method, examining various scholarly sources to provide a comprehensive understanding. The findings indicate that character education can enhance critical thinking through the reinforcement of moral values, active learning approaches, and a collaborative educational environment. By integrating character values into the curriculum and instructional methods, students are able to develop analytical, reflective, and rational abilities necessary to navigate the challenges of the digital era. Effective implementation of character education requires the support of teachers, families, and communities to create a sustainable educational ecosystem that promotes moral development and critical reasoning among the younger generation.