PENGARUH PENGGUNAAN MEDIA SOSIAL TERHADAP PRESTASI BELAJAR PESERTA DIDIK DI SMPN 3 ULUBELU KECAMATAN ULUBELU KABUPATEN TANGGAMUS

Abstrak

This study aims to explore the influence of social media use on students’ academic achievement at SMPN 3 Ulubelu, Kecamatan Ulubelu, Kabupaten Tanggamus. The research focuses on examining how the intensity, type of activity, and purpose of social media usage contribute to students’ academic performance. The background of this study arises from the increasing use of social media among adolescents, which is often assumed to disrupt learning concentration, yet it also has potential as a supplementary learning tool when used appropriately. This research employed a qualitative method with a case study approach. Data were collected through observations, in-depth interviews with students, teachers, and homeroom teachers, as well as documentation of academic records. Data analysis was carried out through the stages of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The study investigates students’ behavioral patterns in using social media, including motivation, duration of use, and the extent to which digital activities relate to their learning processes. The findings reveal that social media use has both positive and negative impacts on students’ academic achievement. Excessive use of social media for entertainment such as gaming, short videos, and non-academic chatting tends to decrease concentration and negatively affect academic results. Conversely, students who utilize social media for educational purposes—such as accessing learning content, participating in group discussions, and searching for lesson-related references—show increased motivation and improved learning outcomes. Thus, the influence of social media is strongly determined by usage patterns and students’ self-control.