Poverty Alleviation Among the Younger Generation Through the Prevention of Online Gambling and Financial Literacy Based on Communication for Development in East Kotawaringin Regency

Akhmad Jaki

doi:10.37680/amalee.v7i1.9057

Authors

Akhmad Jaki IAHN TP Palangka Raya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37680/amalee.v7i1.9057

Keywords:

Communication for Development (C4D), Financial Literacy, Online Gambling Prevention, Participatory Action Research, Youth Empowerment

Abstract

Poverty remains a structural challenge in Indonesia, particularly in rural areas of East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan. The rapid growth of digital-based online gambling has increased socio-economic vulnerability among young people aged 15–24, especially students and out-of-school youth from low-income households with limited financial literacy. Data from the Central Kalimantan Financial Services Authority (OJK) show that the regional financial literacy index is only 32.73%, well below the national average, increasing exposure to risky financial behavior. This community service program offers a novel participatory approach by integrating Participatory Action Research (PAR) with Communication for Development (C4D). Unlike conventional one-way financial literacy initiatives, the program emphasizes youth empowerment and community-based communication. It is implemented as a six-month intervention in selected villages through three stages: participatory diagnosis, co-creation of financial literacy and online gambling prevention messages, and youth-led digital media campaigns. The program aims to support poverty alleviation by promoting behavioral change, financial resilience, and critical digital awareness among young people, while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 1; SDG 4, and SDG 8) and Indonesia’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy. Strategic partners include the Financial Services Authority (OJK), youth organizations, and local schools. Program impacts are measured through pre–post surveys and focus group discussions, indicating improved financial literacy, increased awareness of online gambling risks, and strengthened youth participation in participatory digital communication. Outputs include digital learning modules, school-based training, and youth-produced educational content

References

Ahsan, N., & Ahmed, M. (2023). Empowering communities: Enhancing financial literacy and inclusion across Asia. In Financial Inclusion Across Asia: Bringing Opportunities for Businesses (pp. 97–107). https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83753-304-620231008

Ahyani, H., Solehudin, E., Mutmainah, N., Adnan, N., Triswandan, Y., Nazhifah, A. N., Huda, M., & Permana, D. (2025). The role of Sharia Law in Promoting Social Justice and Sustainable Development in Southeast Asia. In The Routledge Handbook of Islamic Economics and Finance (pp. 113–128). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003168508-9

Ananda, D., Simatupang, H. Y., & Srifauzi, A. (2025). Trends in Online Gambling and Government’s Inability to Achieve Decent Work in Indonesia: What Should We Do? PROIROFONIC, 1(1), 403–412.

Badan Pusat Statistik. (2024). Presentase Penduduk Berumur 15-49 Tahun Menurut Karakteristik Dan Status Perkawinan.

Baú, V. (2025). Reconceptualising Communication for Development: An Introduction. Social Sciences, 14(3), 156.

Bowes, L., Aryani, F., Ohan, F., Haryanti, R. H., Winarna, S., Arsianto, Y., Budiyawati, H., Widowati, E., Saraswati, R., Kristianto, Y., Suryani, Y. E., Ulum, D. F., & Minnick, E. (2019). The development and pilot testing of an adolescent bullying intervention in Indonesia–the ROOTS Indonesia program. Global Health Action, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2019.1656905

Brooks, H., Irmansyah, I., Syarif, A. K., Pedley, R., Renwick, L., Rahayu, A. P., Manik, C., Prawira, B., Hann, M., Brierley, H., Lovell, K., & Bee, P. (2023). Evaluating a prototype digital mental health literacy intervention for children and young people aged 11–15 in Java, Indonesia: a mixed methods, multi-site case study evaluation. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-023-00608-9

Cannistrà, M., De Beckker, K., Agasisti, T., Amagir, A., Põder, K., Vartiak, L., & De Witte, K. (2024). The impact of an online game-based financial education course: Multi-country experimental evidence. Journal of Comparative Economics, 52(4), 825–847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jce.2024.08.001

Cardey, S., Eleazar, P. J. M., Ainomugisha, J., Kalowekamo, M., & Vlasenko, Y. (2024). Communication for development: Conceptualising changes in communication and inclusive rural transformation in the context of environmental change. Social Sciences, 13(6), 324.

Disney, R., & Gathergood, J. (2013). Financial literacy and consumer credit portfolios. Journal of Banking & Finance, 37(7), 2246–2254.

Effendi, D. E., Handayani, L., Nugroho, A. P., & Hariastuti, I. (2021). Adolescent pregnancy prevention in rural Indonesia: a participatory action research. Rural and Remote Health, 21(3), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.22605/RRH6639

Faizin, B., Fitri, S. A., Maylawati, D. S., Rizqullah, N., & Ramdhani, M. A. (2025). Polarization of Religious Issues in Indonesia’s Social Media Society and Its Impact on Social Conflict. Journal of Applied Data Sciences, 6(1), 426–442.

Frisancho, V., Herrera, A., & Prina, S. (2023). Can a mobile-app-based behavioral intervention teach financial skills to youth? Experimental evidence from a financial diaries study. Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, 214, 595–614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2023.08.014

Gainsbury, S. (2011). Seeking help online: A new approach for youth-specific gambling interventions. In Youth Gambling: The Hidden Addiction (pp. 187–200). https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105009967537&partnerID=40&md5=23cc9d3525fd92ae97b899d53add6352

Grimes, P. W., Lopus, J. S., & Amidjono, D. S. (2022). Financial life-skills training and labor market outcomes in Indonesia. International Review of Economics Education, 41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iree.2022.100255

Gustiana, A. D. (2025). Trend Penelitian Literasi Finansial Pada Anak Usia Dini Di Indonesia. Aulad: Journal on Early Childhood, 8(1), 82–94.

Hurla, R., Kim, M., Singer, E., & Soman, D. (2017). Applying findings from financial literacy to encourage responsible gambling. Toronto, ON: Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO).

Jappelli, T., Marino, I., & Padula, M. (2014). Households’ savings and debt in Italy. Politica Economica, 30(2–3), 175–202.

Jappelli, T., & Padula, M. (2013). Investment in financial literacy and saving decisions. Journal of Banking & Finance, 37(8), 2779–2792.

Kranrattanasuit, N. (2024). Utilising the communication for development approach to prevent online child trafficking in Thailand. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), 1–10.

Lang, N. D., Tran, H. M., Nguyen, G. T., & Vo, D. H. (2024). An Untapped Instrument in the Fight Against Poverty: The Impacts of Financial Literacy on Poverty Worldwide. Social Indicators Research, 174(2), 657–695.

Lu, M.-P., Kosim, Z., & Cheah, Y. K. (2025). DETERMINANTS OF DIGITAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION AMONG LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS: COMPARISON BETWEEN PENINSULAR AND EAST MALAYSIA. International Journal of Banking and Finance, 20(2), 91–115. https://doi.org/10.32890/ijbf2025.20.2.5

Lusardi, A., & Messy, F.-A. (2023). The importance of financial literacy and its impact on financial well-being. Journal of Financial Literacy and Wellbeing, 1(1), 1–11.

Monaghan, S., & Wood, R. T. A. (2010). Internet-based interventions for youth dealing with gambling problems. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 22(1), 113–128. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77952498264&partnerID=40&md5=3eee3a9ba81cd64fd6788111fe8ad9f9

Otto, H., & Fourie, L. M. (2016). Theorising participation as communicative action for development and social change. Communicare: Journal for Communication Sciences in Southern Africa, 35(1), 21–39.

Pratama, R., Wijayanti, R., & Indrawati, N. K. (2026). Behavior-First finance: Reframing digital literacy and self-efficacy as drivers of MSME well-being. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 8(7). https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2026430

Raj, A. (2020). Financial literacy among women in kaushambi: An overview of rural india. Finance India, 34(2), 731–742. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85096656663&partnerID=40&md5=ce5a969eac06054e510876f9c68a9416

Saptono, A. (2018). Entrepreneurship education and its influence on financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills in college. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 21(4), 1–11.

Sekita, S., Kakkar, V., & Ogaki, M. (2022). Wealth, financial literacy, and behavioral biases in Japan: The effects of various types of financial literacy. Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, 64, 101190.

Servaes, J., & Malikhao, P. (2020). Communication for development and social change: Three development paradigms, two communication models, and many applications and approaches. Handbook of Communication for Development and Social Change, 63–92.

Spencer, L., Leonard, N., Jessiman, P., Kaluževičiūtė-Moreton, G., Limmer, M., & Kidger, J. (2024). Exploring the feasibility of using Participatory Action Research (PAR) as a mechanism for school culture change to improve mental health. Pastoral Care in Education, 1–20.

Surbakti, F. P. S. (2025). Talking with legislators: Educating the public on the dangers of online gambling. Community Empowerment, 10(4).

Trisnowati, H., Ismail, D., Padmawati, R. S., & Utarini, A. (2021). Developing a framework for youth empowerment to prevent smoking behavior in a rural setting: study protocol for a participatory action research. Health Education, 121(1), 30–47. https://doi.org/10.1108/HE-06-2020-0045

Turner, N. E., Macdonald, J., & Somerset, M. (2008). Life skills, mathematical reasoning, and critical thinking: A curriculum for the prevention of problem gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 24(3), 367–380.

Van Rooij, M. C. J., Lusardi, A., & Alessie, R. J. M. (2012). Financial literacy, retirement planning, and household wealth. The Economic Journal, 122(560), 449–478.

Wang, S., Cao, P., & Huang, S. (2022). Household financial literacy and relative poverty: An analysis of the psychology of poverty and market participation. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 898486.

Watanapongvanich, S., Khan, M. S. R., Putthinun, P., Ono, S., & Kadoya, Y. (2022). Financial literacy and gambling behavior in the United States. Journal of Gambling Studies, 38(2), 445–463.

Wohab, A. (2024). Cyberworld and Gambling: risk factors of adolescents during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh. Youth Voice Journal, 14(4). https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85200660759&partnerID=40&md5=5c15b7a4a9c4cc82b010131f50f41820

World Bank. (2020). Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2020: Reversals of Fortune. In Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1602-4