SIKAP MODERASI BERAGAMA MAHASISWA PAI DALAM MERESPONS PAPARAN ALGORITMA MEDIA SOSIAL

Abstract

The dominance of social media personalization algorithms creates filter bubbles and echo chambers that bombard students with polarized, exclusive, and dogmatic religious narratives. This situation triggers cognitive dissonance among students in the Islamic Religious Education (PAI) program, who are expected to uphold the value of religious moderation. This study aims to analyze the forms of cognitive responses, filtering, and counter-mechanisms employed by PAI students at STAI Al-Gazali Soppeng in maintaining an attitude of religious moderation amid exposure to digital algorithms. The research method employs a descriptive-analytical qualitative approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 15 PAI student informants selected via purposive sampling, supplemented by a documentary study. Data analysis followed the interactive model proposed by Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña, which includes data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results indicate that PAI students respond to social media algorithms by applying critical digital religious literacy. Information filtering is carried out by combining the principle of digital tabayyun with the use of classical Islamic scholarly instruments (turats, Ulumul Hadith, and Usul al-Fiqh) to verify the authenticity of digital da’wah. This mechanism tangibly strengthens the internalization of the four indicators of religious moderation, namely national commitment, tolerance, non-violence, and an accommodative attitude toward.