Disinformation Campaigns Trough Social Media Tik Tok in Shaping Public Opinion and Polarizing Societies

This study examines how disinformation campaigns circulating on TikTok during Indonesia’s 2024 presidential election shaped public opinion and intensified societal polarization. The research aims to identify dominant forms of disinformation, explain how these messages operate within social identity dynamics, and analyze their influence on public perceptions of competing candidates. Using a qualitative approach, the study collected and analyzed videos, images, captions, and user interactions that contained elements of hoax, false context, satire, propaganda, and scaremongering. Data were interpreted through thematic analysis supported by Social Identity Theory to understand how in-group and out-group categorizations were reinforced through misleading content. The findings show that TikTok became a key arena for political manipulation, where edited videos, recycled footage, fabricated narratives, and emotive framing were strategically used to mobilize supporters and attack opponents. These disinformation practices heightened affective polarization, reduced trust in democratic processes, and generated widespread confusion among voters. The study concludes that TikTok-based disinformation significantly contributed to deepening social divisions and shaping negative public opinion during the election period. Strengthening media literacy and developing rapid response mechanisms are essential to mitigate future disinformation impacts.