THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON ADOLESCENT SOCIAL INTERACTION PATTERNS

The development of information technology has driven a major transformation in social interaction patterns, especially among adolescents. This study aims to examine the influence of social media on adolescent social interaction patterns using a qualitative phenomenological approach. The results of the study indicate that social media has a significant impact on the way adolescents interact, where there is a shift from face-to-face communication to virtual interaction. Although social media facilitates connectivity without space and time constraints, in reality adolescents tend to be more comfortable in cyberspace compared to direct interaction. This condition has an impact on the decline in the quality of physical social relationships and causes various problems such as social media addiction and dependence on technology. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the social dynamics of adolescents in the digital era, its implications for the formation of their identities and social relationships