Proceeding ISETH (International Summit on Science, Technology, and Humanity)
2025: Proceeding ISETH (International Summit on Science, Technology, and Humanity)

The Role of Social Media in Shaping the Learning Behavior and Social Interactions of Middle School Students

Widodo, Sapto (Unknown)
Haryanto, Sigit (Unknown)
Fuadi, Djalal (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
05 Feb 2026

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the role of social media in shaping the learning behavior and social interactions of junior high school students. The phenomenon of high social media use among adolescents has prompted the need for an in-depth study of its influence on the learning process and social relations in schools. This study used a qualitative approach with a case study design, involving students and teachers of SMP Negeri 1 Kebakkramat as informants. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using the Miles, Huberman, and SaldaƱa model, which includes data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results show that social media, particularly TikTok, WhatsApp, and Instagram, have become a routine part of students' lives. However, their utilization in learning remains low because students primarily use them for entertainment. The positive impact of social media is seen in easy access to information and accelerated communication, while the dominant negative impacts include distraction, decreased learning focus, and potential conflict in social interactions. The study also found that school policies regarding social media use are still advisory in nature and therefore unable to optimally direct students' digital behavior. This study confirms that social media plays a dual role as a learning and social space, but digital literacy and more systematic supervision are needed so that its use brings more benefits to students.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

iseth

Publisher

Subject

Computer Science & IT Engineering Medicine & Pharmacology Social Sciences Other

Description

The International Summit on Science, Technology and Humanity (ISETH) is organised by Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta. This summit aims to provide a platform for researchers and academics to share their research findings with others and meet lecturers and researchers from other institutions and to ...