PEMAHAMAN DAN PRAKTIK KOMUNIKASI POLITIK AKTIVIS GENERASI Z MENJELANG PILKADA 2024 DI KOTA PALEMBANG UNDERSTANDING AND PRACTICE OF POLITICAL COMMUNICATION AMONG GENERATION Z ACTIVISTS AHEAD OF THE 2024 REGIONAL ELECTION IN PALEMBANG

This study explores the understanding and practice of political communication among Generation Z activists ahead of the 2024 regional election in Palembang using a qualitative approach. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with Generation Z activists and relevant literature analysis. The theory of symbolic interactionism is used to understand how political understanding is formed through communication and social interaction within the context of local politics. Generation Z activists in Palembang play a crucial role in disseminating political information, particularly to young voters, through community discussions and social media. The findings show that activists actively engage in various forms of political activities such as discussions, policy advocacy campaigns, and election monitoring to ensure a transparent and fair electoral process. Social media serves as their primary platform for spreading relevant political information and raising public awareness. However, activists also face challenges related to misinformation and disinformation on social media, which can negatively influence public opinion. Through social interactions within communities and organizations, these activists construct collective meanings regarding social and political issues that are highly relevant to their lives. In conclusion, the involvement of Generation Z activists in Palembang’s 2024 regional election reflects their commitment to political and social change. Therefore, strengthening social media literacy, improving political education, and ensuring more transparent election monitoring are essential to empower young generations to continue acting as agents of change for societal progress. These activists play a critical role in supporting democratic sustainability and social advancement.

Editorial

This research explores the role of social media in the political construction of identity, analyzing how these platforms mediate the expression and formation of individual and group political identities. The focus is on how social media changes the dynamics of communication and social interaction, facilitating the formation of “echo chambers” and increasing political polarization. Additionally, this study highlights challenges such as disinformation and the implications of social media for the health of democracy. As a researcher, I aim to highlight the broader implications of using social media in identity politics. By analyzing the impact of social media on political dynamics in Indonesia, this study reveals how social media influences public perception and political decisions. This study identifies how social media can be used as a tool to mobilize political support, but also how these platforms can spread disinformation and reinforce political polarization. Based on these concerns, researchers have not yet found research results that examine how social media specifically impacts the construction of political identity. This research aims to highlight how social media not only acts as a communication tool but also as a medium that influences the way individuals view and express their political identity. Through a qualitative approach, this study provides new insights into the impact of social media in contemporary political dynamics and the importance of digital literacy in addressing issues of identity politics in the digital era.

From Café Culture to Tweets

Solace in Social Media: Women Unite Under COVID-19

This study entitled Social Media Engagement: Its relation to the Psychosocial Attributes of Selected Junior High School Students was conducted to specifically answer the following questions: What is the status of Social Media Engagement as to; Social Media Platform; Social Media Content; and Screentime? What is the level of psychosocial attributes in terms of Interpersonal Relationship; Life Satisfaction; Online Socialization; and Social Interaction? Is there a significant relationship between social media engagement and psychosocial attributes of selected junior high school students of Masico National High School? Based on the data gathered, the findings of the study were as follows: (1) the status of social media engagement as to social media platform, social media content and screentime were generally high, this means that students are using different social media platforms that are educational and value their privacy, also, they are very cautious on what they will post or follow online and they set limit on using different mobile devices; (2) the level of psychosocial attributes in terms of interpersonal relationship was high while in terms of life satisfaction, online socialization and social interaction were very high, this means that students build strong relationship within their peers with the use of social media. They collaborate and work together. Also, students use social media to be motivated and have a positive outlook in life. They communicate but with limitations and valuing one?s privacy; and (3) the result revealed that social media engagement has a significant relationship to the psychosocial attributes of selected junior high school students, this means that by using different social media platform, students develop a strong interpersonal relationship through continuous communication. Students choose contents that will motivate and help them grow as a person. Social media exposure greatly influences different aspects of students? lives. Based on the findings, social media engagement as to social media platform, social media content and screentime have a significant relationship to the psychosocial attributes of selected junior high school students in terms of interpersonal relationship, life satisfaction, online socialization and social interaction. Therefore, the null hypothesis stating that ?Social media engagement has no significant relation to the psychosocial attributes of selected junior high school students? was rejected. In view of the findings and conclusion of the study, the researcher recommends that teachers of Masico National High School may integrate the use of different social media platforms that promotes learning. There are a lot of social media platforms that are intended for learning and fun for the students to explore.

WHY DO WE LIKE COMMENTING AND SHARING IN SOCIAL MEDIA? AN ONLINE APPROCH OF LUXURY BRAND COMMUNICATION

Social media has become a phenomenon that affecting various aspects of people's lives, especially among teenagers. This article aims to analyse how social media life is perceived in today's social reality, especially in relation to the phenomenon of social media addiction. in looking at current social reality, especially related to the phenomenon of social media addiction in daily life. Social media addiction phenomenon in everyday life. The research uses the study method (library research) by collecting and analysing various sources such as books, scientific journals, articles, etc. Sources such as books, scientific journals, research articles, and other written documentation related to the topic of related to the topic of adolescent social change and social media. The results show that the use of social media and social change in society, especially teenagers, is very influential. Social change in society, especially teenagers, is very influential on the way they interact and share information in the era of digital technology. Interact and share information in the era of digital technology. Teenagers' lives and social interactions are influenced by social media, as seen from the social changes that occur such as the transformation of communication patterns, communication social changes that occur such as the transformation of communication patterns, evolution of interactions, dynamics of fashion, changes in habits, mindsets, and increased consumerism. Consumerism. Social interaction in the real world has decreased because teenagers communicate more through social media, which can result in a more closed society. a more closed society. In conclusion, social media has changed various social and cultural structures of society with significant impacts, both positive and negative, in the lives of adolescents as well as the resulting social changes.

The widespread use of social media has transformed the way students interact with each other, both online and offline. This study explores the influence of social media on students' social interactions, focusing on its impact on their communication patterns, relationships, and social skills. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining survey data from 200 students from two universities in Indonesia with in-depth interviews from a subset of participants. The results show that social media has both positive and negative effects on students' social interactions. On the one hand, social media enables students to connect with peers globally, access information, and participate in online discussions. On the other hand, excessive social media use can lead to social isolation, decreased face-to-face communication, and reduced empathy. The study highlights the need for educators and parents to be aware of the potential risks and benefits of social media and to promote healthy social media habits among students. Keywords: social media, social interaction, students, communication, relationships, social skills

Introduction In today’s digital landscape, social media features prominently in adolescents’ social interactions and information consumption, influencing their development, potentially altering brain processes. Research shows a bidirectional relationship between social media use and both sleep health and brain activities, especially in executive control and reward processing. These neural developments are pivotal in adolescent behavioral and psychological growth, with sleep being crucial yet underexplored in the context of reward, social (media) behaviors. Methods This study investigated the reciprocal links between social media use, self-reported sleep duration, and brain activation in 6,516 adolescents (ages 10-14 years, 46.2% female) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study®. Sleep duration was assessed from the Munich Chronotype questionnaire, and recreational social media use through the Youth Screen Time Survey. Brain activities were analyzed from fMRI scans during the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task, targeting regions associated with reward processing. The study used three different sets of models, switching predictors and outcomes each time, to examine the reciprocal relationships between sleep duration, brain activation, and social media use, and their interactions. Age, COVID-19 pandemic timing (before/during), and socio-demographic characteristics were included in the models. Results Shorter sleep duration correlated with greater social media usage (p<.001). Notably, interactions between sleep duration and brain activation in the cingulate gyrus (p=.021), inferior frontal gyrus (p=.009), and precuneus (p=.008) predicted social media use. In predicting brain activity, interactions between sleep duration and social media use emerged as significant for the inferior (p=.008) and middle frontal gyrus(p=.003). For sleep duration predictions, interactions were important between social media use and brain activation spanning seven areas, including the cingulate gyrus (p=.039), hippocampus (p=.005), insula (p=.015), inferior frontal gyrus (p=.001), middle frontal gyrus (p=.003), precuneus (p=.038) and the superior frontal gyrus (p=.028). Conclusion These results highlight distinct relationships between sleep, social media, and activity across frontolimbic brain regions, key for executive control and reward processing. Such insights deepen our understanding of how individual's unique neural sensitivities to digital technology use and sleep necessity interact in adolescents. Future longitudinal studies based on these findings could pave the way for developing more nuanced, individualized interventions. Support (if any) NIH: U01DA041022 and R01MH128959.

<p>New voters aged 17 to 24, categorized as Generation Z, are highly proficient in digital technology and actively use social media as a primary source of political information, particularly through political memes. Social media fosters an echo chamber effect by continuously presenting similar political content, reinforcing existing beliefs and contributing to political polarization. This study examines the phenomenon of political polarization among new voters in the 2024 presidential election through political memes, utilizing the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) and the echo chamber concept as theoretical frameworks. A qualitative approach was employed, incorporating in-depth interviews with new voters who rely on social media for political information, content analysis of political memes on social media platforms, and a literature review. The findings indicate that new voters predominantly engage with political information through the central route of processing, relying on news portals, social media, and interpersonal discussions. However, social media algorithms reinforce an echo chamber effect by curating content based on users' previous interactions, leading to the polarization of supporters of different candidates (01, 02, and 03). This polarization manifests in heated debates and conflicts, particularly in the comment sections of social media posts featuring political memes. The subjective interpretation of memes—often infused with humor, satire, or sarcasm—exacerbates tensions, as they are perceived as either excessively supportive of or hostile toward particular candidates, further intensifying political divisions.</p>

Background: The categorization of women as “good” or “bad” remains deeply embedded in patriarchal values, often perpetuated through family, religion, and social environments. With the rise of digital media, especially platforms like YouTube, adolescents are exposed to alternative representations of womanhood, such as those exemplified by public figure Karin Novilda (Awkarin). These portrayals challenge conventional gender norms and prompt young audiences to reinterpret established social values. Aims: This study explores how teenagers socially construct the concepts of “good” and “bad” women and how these constructions are reflected in their perceptions of Karin Novilda’s online persona. It also seeks to examine the persistence of gender-based double standards in adolescents’ judgments of public figures. Methods: Using a qualitative approach and the constructivist framework of Berger and Luckmann, the study engaged 12 adolescents aged 16–19 through in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to understand how social values are externalized, objectified, and internalized through social interactions and media exposure. Result: Findings reveal that teenagers associate the notion of a “good woman” with obedience, modesty, and conformity to religious and familial values. In contrast, expressive behavior, particularly on social media, is often deemed inappropriate. Despite this, many respondents still consume content from figures like Karin, showing a dissonance between moral judgment and digital engagement. Gender-based double standards were also evident, with women receiving harsher criticism than men for similar behaviors. Conclusion: This study concludes that teenagers’ perceptions are shaped by a dynamic social construction process influenced by traditional norms and digital media. While dominant values still persist, signs of critical reflection and negotiation are emerging among adolescents. These findings underscore the need for integrating critical media literacy and gender education into youth development strategies to foster more equitable perspectives on gender roles.

In today's digital age, the role of social media in education has become a subject of increasing attention. Social media, such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, have changed students' social interaction patterns, influenced perceptions of self and others, and have significant psychological impacts. This research discusses the role of social media in shaping students' perceptions and social interactions and its implications in learning and education. This research is a literature review that uses a qualitative method approach, which means it will analyse and interpret data by relying on information and text from various sources. The study results show that social media has brought about changes in the way students interact. They not only communicate in person but also through online platforms, creating new dynamics in social relationships. Students' exposure to social media content can affect their self-image and social norms. In addition, social media use can also result in social pressure and psychological impact on students. The implication of the role of social media is the need for social media literacy education, wise use of social media in learning, and necessary psychological support for students. Parents also need to be involved in their children's social media literacy education. With cooperation between educational institutions, social-media platforms, and parents, a safe educational environment that supports students' social, intellectual, and emotional development can be created.

With the rapid development of technology, social platforms have become an integral part of people’s daily lives. On these platforms, female users are not only large in number but also highly active, and they actively participate in social interaction through sharing, communication, and expression. Social platforms provide women with unprecedented space for self-expression and opportunities for social interaction, enabling them to connect with others and share their views and experiences across geographical and time constraints. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to explore women’s self-expression and social interaction on new media social platforms. By reviewing relevant literature and selecting some platforms using the case study method to gain a deeper understanding of women’s specific behaviors, feelings, and motivations on these social platforms, the thesis aims to deeply explore women’s self-expression and social interaction behaviors on new media social platforms, analyze how female users present themselves, express their views, and build up their social networks through social media platforms, and explore the challenges and trends facing new media social platforms. It also discusses the challenges and trends of new media social platforms.

This investigation explores the question, when is social media use social interaction? The results of three studies indicated that social media use was rarely considered social interaction. After using social media for 5 or 10 minutes, Study 1 ( N = 116) demonstrated that infrequent, directed social media behavior (e.g. chatting, commenting) predicted having a social interaction and feeling related. Study 2 ( N = 197) used event sampling to examine participants’ social interactions with friends ( n = 2388) and found 96.5% of social interactions did not take place on social media. Study 3 ( N = 54) used experience sampling to record participants’ experiences over 5 days ( n = 1332). Social media use and social interaction occasionally co-occurred, but only 2% of social interactions took place through social media. Social interactions through social media were usually talk-focused, one-on-one exchanges with closer relational partners, and rarely undifferentiated, broadcasted, or passively consumed information shared with acquaintances.