Hubungan Peringatan Darurat Garuda Biru dengan Bandwagon Effect pada Gerakan Sosial Melalui Media Sosial oleh Mahasiswa Universitas Sumatera Utara

Abstract

The phenomenon of the "Garuda Biru Emergency Alert," which went viral on social media in 2024, reflects a collective public response to socio-political issues, particularly the controversy surrounding the Constitutional Court’s ruling and the revision of the Regional Election Law. This study aims to examine the forms of student involvement from the University of North Sumatra in this social movement, as well as the extent of their understanding and awareness of the issues being advocated. The research also highlights the role of social media and the bandwagon effect as influential factors in student participation. A quantitative approach was employed, using a survey method involving 100 student respondents from various faculties at the University of North Sumatra. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation, t- tests, and ANOVA. The variables examined include social movement engagement through social media (to share, to co-operate, and collective action) and the bandwagon effect (perceived popularity, social influence, and conformity). The findings indicate that the majority of students at the University of North Sumatra recognize the significance of the Garuda Biru Emergency Alert and support the dissemination of related information. However, their actual participation in the movement remains relatively low. A positive correlation was found between scholarship recipient status and involvement in the movement, suggesting that students receiving financial aid were more actively engaged with the issue. Although social media is perceived as an effective tool for social organization, only a small proportion of students actively participated in discussions or collective digital actions. Furthermore, the bandwagon effect was found to play a significant role in shaping student engagement, particularly through the influence of their social environment. This study underscores the importance of adopting educational and inclusive approaches to optimize social media as a platform for student political participation, while simultaneously fostering sustained critical awareness.