Beyond the Classroom: Online Learning, Legal Awareness, and Strategic Communication for Early Marriage Prevention in Remote Indonesian Communities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58524/oler.v6i1.1360Keywords:
Cultural norms, Digital education, Early marriage prevention, Legal awareness, Online learningAbstract
Early marriage remains a persistent challenge in remote Indonesian communities, where cultural traditions, economic vulnerability, and limited legal awareness continue to influence adolescents’ marriage decisions. This sequential explanatory mixed-methods study investigated how online learning, legal awareness initiatives, formal education, and strategic communication collectively contribute to legal awareness, attitudes, and early marriage intention across geographically diverse Indonesian communities. Quantitative survey data from adolescents were complemented by interviews and focus group discussions to provide a contextual understanding of the observed patterns. The findings revealed substantial disparities in legal awareness across community settings and showed that parental attitudes, educational attainment, and engagement with online learning were consistently associated with adolescents’ intentions regarding early marriage. Qualitative evidence further highlighted that peer advocacy, community leadership, and digitally supported learning created socially acceptable spaces for discussing sensitive legal and social issues, although their long-term effectiveness requires further evaluation. Overall, the study suggests that integrating online learning with legal education and community-based strategic communication offers a promising approach to strengthening legal awareness and supporting early marriage prevention in underserved communities. Given the cross-sectional design, the findings should be interpreted as evidence of improved awareness, attitudes, and engagement rather than confirmed behavioral change. These results provide practical guidance for designing culturally responsive and context-sensitive digital education programs in remote settings.
References
Ainul, S. (2024). Climate change and child marriage: Evidence from Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Development Studies, 45(1–2), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.57138/VNEO7557
Alamer, A., Al Khateeb, A., & Jeno, L. M. (2022). Using WhatsApp increases language students' self-motivation and achievement, and decreases learning anxiety: A self-determination theory approach. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 39(2), 417–431. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12753
Arbelia, C., & Riany, Y. E. (2022). Economic pressure, parent-adolescent interaction, and early marriage motivation. Journal of Child Family and Consumer Studies, 1(3), 209–219. https://doi.org/10.29244/jcfcs.1.3.209-219
Azmi, R., Chowdhury, U., Sara, H. H., Biswas, S. C., Ahsan, S., Mowri, S. S., Sultana, R., Hasan, T., & Rashid, S. F. (2021). Factors influencing choices for early marriage in urban informal settlements of Bangladesh. Progress in Development Studies, 21(3), 298–320. https://doi.org/10.1177/14649934211023003
Barbier, E. B. (2022). Overcoming digital poverty traps in rural Asia. Review of Development Economics, 27(3), 1403–1420. https://doi.org/10.1111/rode.12962
Bergstrom, K., & Özler, B. (2022). Improving the well-being of adolescent girls in developing countries. The World Bank Research Observer, 38(2), 179–212. https://doi.org/10.1093/wbro/lkac007
Borji-Navan, S., Maleki, N., & Keramat, A. (2024). Efficacy of digital health interventions used for adolescent's sexual health: An umbrella review. Health Science Reports, 7(12), e70212. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.70212
Bose, D. L., Hundal, A., Singh, S., Singh, S., Seth, K., Hadi, S. U., Saran, A., Joseph, J., Goyal, K., & Salve, S. (2023). Evidence and gap map report: Social and behavior change communication interventions for HIV prevention among adolescent girls and young women in LMICs. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 19(1), e1297. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1297
Braun, V., Clarke, V., Hayfield, N., Davey, L., & Jenkinson, E. (2022). Doing reflexive thematic analysis. In S. Bager-Charleson & A. McBeath (Eds.), Supporting research in counselling and psychotherapy (pp. 19–38). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-13942-0_2
Byrne, D. (2022). A worked example of Braun and Clarke's approach to reflexive thematic analysis. Quality & Quantity, 56(3), 1391–1412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-021-01182-y
Chalim, S., Usman, F., Rokhman, M., Rusydi, I., Rahmat, & Zamawi, B. (2024). Children's education in the metaverse era: Between the rapid growth of information technology and self-learning of Generation Z. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 7(3), 608-627. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v7i3.19
Conceição, S. C., & Biniecki, S. Y. (2024). Technology and adult learning. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 2024(184), 65–73. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.20545
Coyle, K. K., Chambers, B. D., Anderson, P. M., Firpo-Triplett, R., & Waterman, E. A. (2019). Blended learning for sexual health education: Evidence base, promising practices, and potential challenges. Journal of School Health, 89(10), 847–859. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12821
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (6th ed.). Sage.
Dharin, A., Setiawan, A., Nugroho, I. S., Sahabuddin, E. S., & Priyanto, D. (2025). Analysis of TPACK-based learning for teachers of Madrasah Tsanawiyah in Banyumas Regency, Indonesia. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 8(2), 282–303. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v8i2.118
El Zaatari, W., & Maalouf, I. (2022). How the Bronfenbrenner bio-ecological system theory explains the development of students' sense of belonging to school? SAGE Open, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221134089
Ernawati, H., Mas'udah, A. F., Setiawan, F., & Isro'in, L. (2023). Health, psychology, economic resilience and wellbeing: Long-term effects on family welfare of early marriage. F1000Research, 12, 366. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.128719.1
Gambir, K. (2024). Associations between child marriage and food insecurity in Zimbabwe: A participatory mixed methods study. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 17408. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17408-7
Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2000). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer conferencing in higher education. The Internet and Higher Education, 2(2–3), 87–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1096-7516(00)00016-6
Gunawan, I. (2014). Pedagogi dan teknologi dalam e-learning: Studi kasus pengembangan e-learning di Fakultas Tarbiyah dan Keguruan IAIN Raden Intan Lampung. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Fisika Al-Biruni, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.24042/jipfalbiruni.v3i2.70
Gundi, M. (2023). Impact of interventions supporting girls' education on early marriage, pregnancy and work participation: Evidence synthesis. Indian Journal of Human Development, 17(3), 495–506. https://doi.org/10.1177/09737030241239537
Guo, P., Saab, N., Wu, L., & Admiraal, W. (2021). The Community of Inquiry perspective on students' social presence, cognitive presence, and academic performance in online project-based learning. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 37(5), 1479–1493. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12586
Holik, A. (2023). The dialectics of child marriage and the age of maturity for marriage: A Qur'anic exegesis. Hikmatuna: Journal for Integrative Islamic Studies, 9(2), 180–189. https://doi.org/10.28918/hikmatuna.v9i2.1338
Juhji, Riduan, A., Syaepudin, & Liani, D. A. (2022). Exploring student learning concentration through Whatsapp group: A classroom teacher's effort in online learning during the pandemic. Online Learning in Educational Research, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.58524/oler.v2i1.85
Kabelka, H. (2024). Drivers of child marriage in eastern and western provinces in Zambia and effective preventive interventions: Findings from a rapid document review and three stakeholder meetings [Preprint]. Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3914273/v1
Kakal, T. (2023). "You are a child and this is not your business": Decision-making on child marriage in Sindh, Pakistan. PLOS ONE, 18(9), e0266865. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266865
Karki, R. (2024). Prevalence and risk factors of child marriage among Madhesi women in Nepal's Terai region. Journal of Family & Reproductive Health, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.18502/jfrh.v18i2.15932
Khan, T. A., Hamid, W., & Swalehin, M. (2021). Social exclusion and the runaway couples: A study of their hardships. Contemporary Voice of Dalit, 14(1), 8–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/2455328X211000566
Kirana, P. D., & Nisak, Q. (2022). The role of UNICEF in addressing child marriage issues in Indonesia. Gender Equality: International Journal of Child and Gender Studies, 8(2), 216. https://doi.org/10.22373/equality.v8i2.14029
Lami, M. (2023). Prevalence of child marriage and associated factors among reproductive age women in Harari Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia, 2022: A community-based study. BMC Women's Health, 23(1), 257. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02409-w
Lammers, J. C., & Astuti, P. (2021). Calling for a global turn to inform digital literacies education. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 64(4), 371–377. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaal.1103
Lokot, M., DiPangrazio, L., Acen, D., Gatpan, V., & Apunyo, R. (2022). The "demand side" of child marriage. Journal of Humanitarian Affairs, 4(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.7227/JHA.079
Mahmuddin, M. (2023). Community's role in preventing child marriage: An analysis of models and community compliance with village policies. Gender Equality: International Journal of Child and Gender Studies, 9(2), 235. https://doi.org/10.22373/equality.v9i2.19673
Major, L., Francis, G. A., & Tsapali, M. (2021). The effectiveness of technology-supported personalised learning in low- and middle-income countries: A meta-analysis. British Journal of Educational Technology, 52(5), 1935–1964. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13116
Makino, M., Ngo, T. D., Psaki, S., Amin, S., & Austrian, K. (2021). Heterogeneous impacts of interventions aiming to delay girls' marriage and pregnancy across girls' backgrounds and social contexts. Journal of Adolescent Health, 69(6, Suppl. 1), S39–S45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.09.016
Malhotra, A., & Elnakib, S. (2021). 20 years of the evidence base on what works to prevent child marriage: A systematic review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(5), 847–862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.11.017
Marphatia, A. A., Saville, N., Manandhar, D. S., Cortina-Borja, M., Wells, J. C. K., & Reid, A. (2022). The role of education in child and adolescent marriage in rural lowland Nepal. Journal of Biosocial Science, 55(2), 275–291. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021932022000074
Mayank, M. S. (2023). Spatial heterogeneity study of early child marriages before and after implementation of Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006) in India [Preprint]. Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3638297/v1
Means, B., Toyama, Y., Murphy, R., Bakia, M., & Jones, K. (2010). Evaluation of evidence-based practices in online learning: A meta-analysis and review of online learning studies. U.S. Department of Education.
Mehari, H., Haile, F., Habtezghi, S., Mulugeta, Y., Abraham, G., Berhe, M., & Abdu, N. (2023). Determinants of child marriage and its related adverse health outcomes among married women in sub-region of Serejeka, Eritrea. International Journal of Women's Health, 15, 215–224. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S389939
Melnikas, A. J., Saul, G., Pandey, N., Makino, M., Amin, S., & Chau, M. (2023). Do child marriage programs help girls weather shocks like COVID-19? Evidence from the More Than Brides Alliance. Economic Papers, 42(4), 395–407. https://doi.org/10.1111/1759-3441.12406
Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative dimensions of adult learning. Jossey-Bass.
Milimo, J. T., Zulu, J. M., Svanemyr, J., Munsaka, E., Mweemba, O., & Sandoy, I. F. (2021). Economic support, education and sexual decision making among female adolescents in Zambia: A qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 21(1), 1243. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11372-w
Mulhayatiah, D., Purwanti, P., Setya, W., Suhendi, H. Y., Kariadinata, R., & Hartini, S. (2019). The impact of digital learning module in improving students' problem-solving skills. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Fisika Al-Biruni, 8(1), 11-22. https://doi.org/10.24042/jipfalbiruni.v8i1.3150
Nirmala, P., Suhardi, I., Kaswar, A. B., Surianto, D. F., Fajar, M., Soeharto, & Lavicza, Z. (2025). Enhancing computational thinking skills through digital literacy and blended learning: The mediating role of learning motivation. Online Learning in Educational Research, 5(1), 9–24. https://doi.org/10.58524/oler.v5i1.504
Phiri, M., Musonda, E., Shasha, L., Kanyamuna, V., & Lemba, M. (2023). Individual and community-level factors associated with early marriage in Zambia: A mixed effect analysis. BMC Women's Health, 23(1), 77. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02168-8
Philbrick, W., Milnor, J., Deshmukh, M., & Mechael, P. (2022). Information and communications technology use to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence in low- and middle-income countries: An evidence and gap map. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 18(4), e1277. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1277
Plesons, M., Todd, C. S., Malhotra, A., Finnie, A., Maksud, N., Chalasani, S., & Chandra-Mouli, V. (2021). Updated research gaps on ending child marriage and supporting married girls for 2020–2030. Reproductive Health, 18(1), 152. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01176-x
Pourtaheri, A. (2023). Prevalence and factors associated with child marriage: A systematic review. BMC Women's Health, 23(1), 504. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02634-3
Psaki, S., Haberland, N., Mensch, B., Woyczynski, L., & Chuang, E. (2022). Policies and interventions to remove gender-related barriers to girls' school participation and learning in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 18(1), e1207. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1207
Puspitasari, N. (2021). Determinants and impact of child marriage on the bride in Indonesia. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 15(3), 3792–3797. https://doi.org/10.37506/IJFMT.V15I3.15886
Rachmah, Q., Astina, J., Atmaka, D. R., Khairani, L., & Leoni, C. (2023). The effect of educational intervention based on theory of planned behavior approach on complementary feeding: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Pediatrics, 2023, 1086919. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1086919
Rahayu, S., Rahmadani, E., Syafitri, E., Prasetyoningsih, L. S., Ubaidillah, M. F., Tavakoli, M., & Palou, E. (2022). Teaching with technology during COVID-19 pandemic: An interview study with teachers in Indonesia. Education Research International, 2022, 7853310. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7853310
Riadi, B., Fuad, M., Yulianti, D., & Firdaus, R. (2024). Social, cognitive, teaching, and technology presence in blended inquiry learning: A higher education study. Online Learning in Educational Research, 4(2), 143–155. https://doi.org/10.58524/oler.v4i2.507
Sadguna, K., & Sundari, T. T. (2024). Participatory communication strategies for strengthening child care systems. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i03.23928
Sakti, P. M. (2023). Marriage readiness cards and adolescent knowledge: Addressing child marriage. Jurnal Bidan Cerdas, 5(4), 166–173. https://doi.org/10.33860/jbc.v5i4.3012
Saleh, A., Othman, S. M., Ismail, K. H., & Shabila, N. P. (2022). Exploring Iraqi people's perception about early marriage: A qualitative study. BMC Women's Health, 22(1), 401. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-01980-y
Schaffnit, S. B., Urassa, M., Wamoyi, J., Dardoumpa, M., & Lawson, D. W. (2021). "I have never seen something like that": Discrepancies between lived experiences and the global health concept of child marriage in northern Tanzania. PLOS ONE, 16(4), e0249200. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249200
Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, 2(1), 3–10.
Simmons, E. C., & Sanders, M. (2022). Building sustainable communities for sustainable development: An evidence-based behavior change intervention in Southeast Asia. Sustainable Development, 30(5), 1018–1029. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2296
Sulisworo, D., Drusmin, R., Kusumaningtyas, D. A., Handayani, T., Wahyuningsih, W., Jufriansah, A., Khusnani, A., Prasetyo, E., & Namaziandost, E. (2021). The science teachers' optimism response to the use of marker-based augmented reality in the global warming issue. Education Research International, 2021, 7264230. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/7264230
Surbakti, E., Hasibuan, Y., & Pasaribu, R. (2022). The effectiveness of local-leader-based social interventions on knowledge and attitudes of early marriage. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 10(E), 1215–1220. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.8544
Susilawati, S., Supriyatno, T., Yasin, A. F., Chakim, A., Hani'ah, Z., Putri, C. A., & Sabri, A. (2025). Educational technology-based strategies for the internationalization of Islamic higher education in Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 8(2), 414–431. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v8i2.63
Suyanto, B., Sugihartati, R., Hidayat, M. A., Egalita, N., & Mas'udah, S. (2023). The causes and impacts of early marriage: The ordeal of girls in East Java, Indonesia. Sociologia, Problemas e Práticas, 101, 85–101. https://doi.org/10.7458/SPP202310126851
Taplak, A. S., & Yilmaz, F. A. (2022). Adolescent marriage and motherhood in Turkey: A qualitative study exploring determinants, impacts and opinions about preventive strategies. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 78(8), 2537–2547. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15211
Umera, O. R., & Baror, S. O. (2025). Exploring alternative teaching and learning platforms in post-COVID-19. Online Learning in Educational Research, 5(1), 41–56. https://doi.org/10.58524/oler.v5i1.600
Wang, J., Yang, Y., Li, H., & Aalst, J. van. (2021). Continuing to teach in a time of crisis: The Chinese rural educational system's response and student satisfaction. British Journal of Educational Technology, 52(4), 1494–1512. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13129
Wibowo, H. R., Ratnaningsih, M., Goodwin, N. J., Ulum, D. F., & Minnick, E. (2021). One household, two worlds: Differences of perception towards child marriage among adolescent children and adults in Indonesia. The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, 8, 100103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100103
Yunitasari, D., Lasmawan, I. W., Arnyana, I. B. P., & Ardana, I. M. (2025). Breaking barriers: Advancing inclusive education through early identification of learning challenges. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 8(1), 139–153. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v8i1.133
Yusriadi, Y., Makkulawu Panyiwi Kessi, A., Awaluddin, M., Sarabani, L., & Rezvani, E. (2022). E-learning-based education resilience in Indonesia. Education Research International, 2022, 7774702. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7774702
Zakariyah, Z., Muhid, A., & Arifin, M. (2025). Transformation of Al-Qur'an memorization learning in the digital age through the blended learning flipped classroom approach. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 8(3), 594-606. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v8i3.193
Zegeye, B., Olorunsaiye, C. Z., Ameyaw, E. K., Budu, E., Seidu, A., & Yaya, S. (2021). Individual/household and community-level factors associated with child marriage in Mali: Evidence from demographic and health survey. BioMed Research International, 2021, 5529375. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5529375
Zulu, I. Z., Zulu, J. M., Svanemyr, J., Michelo, C., Mutale, W., & Sandoy, I. F. (2022). Application of community dialogue approach to prevent adolescent pregnancy, early marriage and school dropout in Zambia. Reproductive Health, 19(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01335-8
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ade Nur Istiani, Erina Pane
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Online Learning in Educational Research is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with Online Learning in Educational Research agree to the following terms:
Copyright Retention: Authors retain the copyright of their work without any restrictions.
Publishing Rights: Authors retain the right to publish and distribute their work without any restrictions.
License Agreement: By publishing with Online Learning in Educational Research, authors agree that their work will be licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA). This license allows others to share and adapt the work, provided that appropriate credit is given, any changes are indicated, and the new creations are licensed under the same terms.
