DAMPAK MEDIA SOSIAL DALAM PEMBENTUKAN PERILAKU ANAK DI DESA SIPAYO KECAMATAN SIDOAN KABUPATEN PARIGI MOUTONG

Abstract

This study aims to explore the influence of social media platforms on the character formation and behavior of children in Sipayo Village, Sidoan Subdistrict, Parigi Moutong Regency. Amid the rapid advancement of digital technology, social media offers various benefits as well as challenges for the younger generation in rural areas. On one hand, these platforms facilitate children’s access to new knowledge, enhance communication, and foster creativity. On the other hand, uncontrolled usage often leads to decreased motivation and discipline in learning, reduced direct interaction with parents, excessive gadget dependency, susceptibility to uneducational trends, and the emergence of impolite attitudes and language.The research problems are focused on two main aspects: the forms of children’s behavior that emerge as a result of social media exposure, and the types of digital platforms most dominantly used by children in the village. This study employs a qualitative approach with a descriptive design. The research was conducted in Sipayo Village. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews with key informants, and analysis of related documents.Data analysis was carried out in stages, starting from data reduction, data presentation, to conclusion drawing. To ensure the validity of the findings, the researcher applied triangulation techniques covering sources, methods, and time.It is hoped that the results of this study will provide an in-depth description of social media usage patterns among village children, such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp, as well as various positive and negative behaviors that appear in family and community environments. These findings are expected to serve as valuable considerations for parents, teachers, and related stakeholders in developing strategies to improve digital literacy and strengthen character education for children in the current digital era.