Dampak Penggunaan Gadget terhadap Kualitas Interaksi Sosial Mahasiswa Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik Universitas Sumatera Utara

Abstract

The rapid development of gadget technology has changed the quality of social interaction in the digital era, especially among students who rely heavily on these devices for various daily activities. Excessive gadget use causes significant problems such as the phubbing phenomenon, social isolation, and decreased empathy in face-to-face communication, thus threatening the quality of social interactions. This study aims to examine the impact of gadget use on the quality of social interactions of students at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of North Sumatra. The research method used is a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques through observation, interviews, and documentation. Informants were selected by purposive sampling, then the data were analyzed through reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing based on the analytical framework. The results showed that although gadgets increased access to information and stimulated creativity, their excess use had a negative impact by decreasing the quality of interpersonal communication, weakening the ability to read nonverbal expressions, and decreasing empathy between students. The findings indicate the need for efforts to balance the use of gadgets with increased face-to-face interaction, so as to support the development of soft skills and more meaningful social relationships.