Analisa Jejaring Sosial dan Polarisasi Politik Mahasiswa Studi Polarisasi Politik Mahasiswa FISIP USU pada Pilpres dan Pasca Pilpres 2024

Abstract

The phenomenon of social polarization among university students in the digital political era has become a crucial issue that requires in-depth sociological analysis. This study employs the Social Network Analysis (SNA) approach to examine the patterns of relationships and the dynamics of political polarization formed through digital interactions among students of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FISIP USU), on the TikTok platform during and after the 2024 Presidential Election. A quantitative approach using SNA was applied to map the patterns of relationships, interactions, and levels of connectivity among actors within the digital social network. Data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 100 active FISIP USU students who use TikTok as a medium for political participation and discussion. The results reveal that the political discussion network of FISIP USU students on TikTok formed a dense network structure during the 2024 Presidential Election period, where student accounts (nodes) were closely connected through intensive political interactions. However, the analysis also shows the emergence of political polarization, characterized by the formation of several clusters based on shared political preferences toward specific presidential candidates. After the election, the level of network connectivity decreased, but the pattern of political polarization persisted moderately. This study highlights that TikTok functions not only as an entertainment platform but also as a space for political expression and a medium that fosters digital social segregation among students. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of youth political participation in the social media era and emphasize how digital social network structures shape social polarization within academic environments.