Fenomena Detoksifikasi Media Sosial sebagai Reaksi Efek Negatif Penggunaan Media Sosial yang Berlebihan (Studi Fenomenologi pada Mahasiswa Program Studi Ilmu Komunikasi Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik Universitas Sumatera Utara)

Abstract

This study is entitled "The Phenomenon of Social Media Detoxification as a Reaction to the Negative Effects of Excessive Use of Social Media (Phenomenological Study of Students of the Communication Science Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of North Sumatra)." The purpose of this study was to examine the phenomenon of social media detoxification among Communication Science students, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of North Sumatra as a reaction to the negative effects of excessive use of social media. The method used is qualitative research with a phenomenological study approach, which provides an in-depth understanding of students' subjective experiences in detoxifying. The theory used is the theory of resistant media, which emphasizes that users are active audiences who can reject, avoid or reduce media use. The study involved six main informants and two triangulation informants selected through snowball sampling. Data were obtained from in-depth interviews and documentation. The results showed that students detoxified social media as a reaction to the negative effects of social media that were felt such as anxiety and sleep disturbances. The main motivations for detoxifying varied, including internal drives to relieve psychological stress and the need to create personal space. The detoxification process consists of three stages: the initial stage characterized by craving symptoms, the adaptation stage with urge management and self-adjustment, and the change stage resulting in changes in digital mindset and behavior. Strategies used by informants to overcome obstacles include self-reflection and activity diversion. These findings test/strengthen the positive theory by showing that audiences have the capacity to reject and redefine their relationship with media, and have a positive impact on students' psychological well-being.