<![CDATA[Patterns of social contact have been profoundly altered by the quick development of digital technology, particularly in light of Generation Z's extensive usage of social media. This study uses students at the Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Balikpapan as a case study to investigate how social media use affects moral degeneration in Generation Z. The study used a quantitative methodology with an associative causal framework. With the aid of SPSS software, data were gathered using a closed-ended questionnaire with a Likert scale, and basic linear regression was used for analysis. With a significance value of 0.000 (< 0.05) and a determination coefficient (R²) of 0.349, the results show a negative and significant link between moral degeneration and social media use. This suggests that the intensity and usage patterns of social media account for 34.9% of the variation in moral degeneration. These findings support the applicability of the theories of social learning, cultivation, and media socialization, which all contend that youth social behavior, values, and perception can be influenced by extensive exposure to digital content. To lessen social media's detrimental effects on Generation Z's moral standards, the study suggests implementing digital literacy initiatives, character education, and social media usage guidelines.]]>
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