PENGARUH MEDIA SOSIAL TERHADAP POLA INTERAKSI SOSIAL REMAJA

Abstract

The development of social media has significantly transformed the way adolescents interact, both in virtual spaces and in real life. This study aims to analyze the impact of social media on adolescents' patterns of social interaction, focusing on changes in communication forms, the intensity of social relationships, and the social skills displayed in their surroundings. Using a qualitative approach involving a number of active adolescent social media users, the study finds that social media has a dual impact: on one hand, it expands friendship networks and facilitates long-distance communication; on the other hand, it reduces the frequency of face-to-face interactions and shifts the quality of social relationships. These findings highlight the need for a critical approach to the use of social media among adolescents in order to maintain a balance between online and offline interactions. This study is expected to serve as a reference for parents, educators, and policymakers in guiding healthier social media usage among adolescents.