UMY Lecturer: 'Paylater' Phenomenon Fuels Youth Consumption Behaviour
Easy unsecured access and instant approval create the illusion that purchasing is not costly. Yogyakarta (ANTARA) - Sharia economics lecturer Syah Amelia Manggala Putri from Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta’s Faculty of Islamic Studies and Civilisation has highlighted the ‘paylater’ service phenomenon, which she says has transformed societal transaction patterns and encouraged consumptive behaviour, particularly among the youth.
Amelia, in Yogyakarta on Tuesday, said that the ‘buy now, pay later’ feature psychologically triggers impulse buying as consumers tend to underestimate future financial burdens.
“Easy unsecured access and instant approval create the illusion that purchasing is not costly. In reality, it merely defers financial obligations rather than eliminating them,” Amelia said in a press statement in Yogyakarta.
“Students are the most vulnerable group to this financial technology development. The combination of easy digital transactions, aggressive promotions, and social media lifestyle influences makes excessive consumption difficult to control,” she added.
“The consequences include serious financial vulnerabilities among young people, from mounting debts and financial stress to social tensions and personal data breach risks,” Amelia continued.
“From a Sharia economics perspective, ‘paylater’-induced consumptive behaviour contradicts Islamic principles of wealth management. Islam emphasises proportional consumption focused on needs, avoiding ‘israf’ (excess) and ‘tabdzir’ (wastefulness),” she explained.
“In the context of ‘maqashid al-syari’ah’, wealth must be managed responsibly to avoid harm to oneself and the community,” she added.
Amelia urged the public to improve financial literacy before using digital financing services. Users should carefully understand cost structures, ensure repayment ability, and verify platform legitimacy to avoid future financial issues.
She stressed that in Islam, prosperity is not measured by the amount of wealth possessed, but by how it is managed for the common good.
“The concept of ‘falah’ – success in both worldly and spiritual terms – must guide people’s financial behaviour,” she concluded.