JALILA: Journal of Applied Linguistics and Literary Analysis Vol.
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August, 2025 Analysis of the Influence and Impact of social media on Gen-Z Literacy Activities Regi Ginanjar English Literature Department.
Universitas Terbuka.
INDONESIA Jl.
Jenderal Ahmad Yani No.
RT.
5/RW.
Utan Kayu Sel.
Kec.
Matraman.
Kota Jakarta Timur.
Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 13230
ARTICLE INFO
ABSTRACT
Received : May 12, 2025 Revised : June 10 , 2025 Accepted : July 12, 2025 This article examines related to find out social media platforms influence both literacy development and the everyday lives of Generation Z in Indonesia.
In this digital genertaion and this modern era, viral application such as TikTok.
Instagram, and YouTube have become deeply embedded in the daily routines and learning habits of young people.
While such media enhance access to knowledge and encourage creativity, with the frequent use of social media, there is increasing concern in society to erode traditional literacy skills.
This study adopts a descriptive qualitative approach, combining literature analysis with online surveys involving 100 respondents aged 18Ae27.
ResearcheAos statements about their findings on social media contributes positively to digital literacy and self-expression, it tends to reduce engagement in deep reading and coherent writing practices.
Approximately 60% of participants favor short-form content, indicating a possible decline in attention span.
Nevertheless, educational content on social media also inspires learning for some users.
The researcherAos findings are that that social media functions duallyAisupporting informal education while also distracting from conventional The government must be combining digital literacy programs and encourage mindful content consumption among students.
Keywords:
Digital Culture Gen-Z Literacy Reading habits Social media Correspondence:
Regi Ginanjar Regideon5@gmail.
This is an open access article under the CC-BY-SA international license.
How to cite (APA Styl.
Ginanjar.
Analysis of the Influence and Impact of social media on Gen-Z Literacy Activities.
JALILA (Journal of Applied Linguistics and Literary Analysi.
Vol.
, 11-16.
https://doi.
org/10.
57248/jalila.
INTRODUCTION
In the digital generation and modern era, social media cannot be separated from everyday life and become a major part of life for Generation Z, who grew up with smartphones and constant internet access.
Platforms like TikTok.
Instagram, and YouTube shape how they communicate, learn, and spend their time.
The Offers provided are provided by these viral platforms giving a chances to get an experience about study and connect.
Literacy today is no longer only about reading printed books or writing essays.
it also includes digital skills and understanding information.
Digital https://journal.
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August, 2025 media can influence people focus and process information.
For example, instead of reading deeply, people tend to scan quickly and jump between different content, which might affect critical thinking.
This study explore social media affects Generation ZAos literacy and daily routines.
It asks whether social media improves new kinds of literacy or if it harms older, more traditional literacy skills.
Understanding for educators, parents, and policymakers who want to manage or leading the gen-z for using social media in healthy and productive ways.
This study focuses on impacts the literacy skills of Gen Z that influence by social media.
Does it help improve their communication in new ways, or does it weaken important skills like deep reading and academic writing? Previous studies (Al-Ali, 2014.
Shams & Rizaner, 2.
suggest that digital media can boost creativity and engagement but might also replace focused and long-term learning practices.
Understanding these effects is important for teachers, parents, and policy makers so they can better guide young people in using digital media without harming their literacy.
This research also aims to show how digital habits affect Gen ZAos daily life, learning styles, and social interactions.
METHOD
Using a qualitative descriptive approach to find out social media influences the literacy and everyday behavior of Gen - Z in Indonesia.
The data was using journal/article research and online surveys.
This mixed approach helps ensure the findings are supported by both theoretical insights and real-life experiences.
Research Design and Context The research was conducted online in May 2025, mainly targeting employee who are already active social media users.
The study exclude focuses on identifying common patterns from participants' responses and literature findings.
Participants and Sampling A total of 101 respondents aged 18 to 27 participated.
They choosen beacuse they are matched the criteriaAibeing part of Gen Z and regularly using platforms like Instagram.
TikTok, or YouTube.
Data Collection Primary data: An online questionnaire .
ia Google Form.
with both multiple-choice and open-ended questions about reading habits, content preferences, and social media From the overall survey, social media is an important thing in the lives of Gen Z workers.
Not only functioning as a means of entertainment and communication, social media encourage to increased literacy and insight if consumed in the right way.
Young users today using platforms not just for fun, but also an alternative learning that is flexible and easily accessible.
This digital literacy needs to continue to be encouraged and developed, so that the gen-Z not only become consumers of information, but also becomes producers and processors of information who are smart, critical, and responsible in the digital genertaion.
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FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
1 Gen ZAos Preference for Short and Quick Content A survey conducted among respondentsAipredominantly male workers .
%) within the age range of 18 to 27 yearsAireveals several noteworthy trends in social media behavior and perceptions related to literacy and everyday life.
This demographic, comprised of young adults who are actively engaged in the workforce, represents a digitally literate and highly connected group.
The findings highlight that these young workers are highly active users of social media platforms, integrating them seamlessly into their daily routines.
The most frequently used platforms are WhatsApp and Instagram, followed closely by TikTok.
This suggests a strong preference for platforms that prioritize instant messaging, visual content, and real-time interaction.
The popularity of these platforms reflects a digital environment where visual communication and fast-paced content sharing align with the lifestyles of young, working individuals.
Furthermore, respondents often reported using multiple platforms simultaneously, indicating a multi-channel social media usage pattern.
This trend suggests that users are not limited to a single source of content or communication, but rather engage with a diverse range of platforms to fulfill different purposesAibe it staying connected, accessing information, or seeking entertainment.
In terms of usage duration, the majority .
%) of participants spend 1 to 2 hours daily on social media, while a smaller portion engages for more than 5 hours per day.
These figures suggest that although social media has become an integral part of daily life, its usage generally remains within moderate levels for most users.
The daily access reflects both habitual usage and the importance of these platforms as tools for social interaction, information consumption, and emotional coping in their professional and personal lives.
Overall, the data indicate that young workers leverage social media not just for entertainment, but also as a tool for communication, engagement, and possibly The consistent usage across multiple platforms, coupled with moderate daily screen time, supports the notion that social media plays a functional, yet balanced role in the digital lives of this demographic group.
2 Advantages: Enhancing Digital Skills Many respondents, roughly two-thirds, that social media helps improve their digital All respondents .
%) admitted that they often read articles, news, or educational content from social media.
This fact show that social media has potential as a source of non-formal learning that easily accessed.
They mentioned learning new words, writing concise captions, interpreting visual information, and even creating their own content.
These skills showing how social media can be a valuable tool for informal education and creativity, supporting previous studies on collaborative and interactive learning online.
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August, 2025 The respondents around .
%) stated that is very helpful in increasing their insight and knowledge, as well as their literacy skills.
As many as 60% of them admitted that their literacy skills have increased significantly.
This proves that although social media is often criticized for its shallow content, it also contributes to increasing knowledge if used wisely.
All respondents choose and stated that social media has an influence on daily life, with various forms of influence: from facilitating communication, increasing insight, helping with work, to expanding social networks.
No respondents felt and stated had a negative impact.
So, their perception of social media tends to be positive.
3 Disadvantages: Challenges with Focus and Attention Despite some benefits, the survey also revealed several drawbacks.
A large number of respondents felt that their attention has been shortened, making it harder to concentrate on textbooks or lengthy assignments.
Using soical media at night also linked to sleep disturbances.
These is align with research has been find out indicating that multitasking on digital devices can fragment concentration and lower academic 4 Shifting Literacy Norms in Digital Culture The way Generation Z understands literacy is evolving.
Rather than focusing solely on traditional reading and writing, they also use images, emojis, videos, and quick interactions as part of their communication toolkit.
This new form of literacy, often called Aumultimodal literacy,Ay blends traditional skills with digital fluency with modern communication styles.
Table 1.
Survey Result Using Google Form Question Most Frequent Gneder Males Age 19 - 22 years Status Worker Which social media platform do Whatsapp & you use most often? Instagram How much time do you spend on 1 - 2 hours social media each day? What is your main purpose for Entertainment using social media? Do you read articles, news, or educational content on social Yes Does social media increase your Very helpful insight/knowledge? Has your literacy skill improved Yes, significantly due to social media? https://journal.
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August, 2025 What is the impact of social media Positive Impact on your daily life? The concept of literacy among Generation Z is undergoing a significant transformation, reflecting the evolving nature of communication in the digital age.
Unlike previous generations that primarily emphasized traditional forms of literacyAi such as reading printed texts and writing in formal, structured formatsAiGeneration Z exhibits a broader and more dynamic understanding of what it means to be literate.
In particular.
Generation Z integrates images, emojis, videos, memes, and short-form digital interactions .
, comments, reactions, hashtags, and voice note.
into their daily communication practices.
These tools are not merely supplementary, but serve as central components of meaning-making.
For instance, an emoji may convey tone or emotion that words alone cannot, while a short video clip may encapsulate a complex narrative more effectively than a written paragraph.
This expanded approach to communication is often referred to as multimodal Multimodal literacy refers to the ability to interpret, produce, and interact with meaning across a variety of modesAinot just written text, but also visual, auditory, spatial, and digital modes.
It reflects a blending of traditional literacy skills with digital fluency, where competence includes navigating different platforms, understanding visual symbolism, using non-verbal cues effectively, and adapting to rapidly shifting trends in digital discourse.
For Generation Z, who are digital natives, this form of literacy feels natural and They are accustomed to decoding layered messages in memes, creating TikTok videos that combine audio, text, and choreography, or using visual storytelling in Instagram stories.
Their literacy practices are participatory, fluid, and socially drivenAioften relying on collaborative content creation and peer interaction rather than solitary reading or writing.
This evolution poses both challenges and opportunities for educators, employers, and policymakers.
On one hand, it calls for a redefinition of literacy education to include digital and media literacies as essential competencies.
On the other hand, it highlights Generation Z's adaptability and creativity in navigating a fast-changing information landscape, which could be leveraged in contexts such as education, digital marketing, and civic engagement.
In summary.
Generation Z's understanding of literacy is no longer confined to reading and writing in the traditional sense.
It is multimodal, interactive, and deeply embedded in digital culture, signaling a shift in how communication is understood, practiced, and valued in contemporary society.
CONCLUSION
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August, 2025 From the result of this study, social media brings a mix of benefits and challenges to Generation ZAos literacy.
Many Gen Z individuals are becoming more confident in expressing their ideas through digital formats, and also gaining exposure to teh latest information faster than ever before.
However, this is prove it if they are spending time less than traditional reading and writing activities, which are important for developing deeper thinking skills.
The preference for short-form and visual content, like TikTok videos or Instagram reels, shows that Gen Z tends to value quick and entertaining information.
This habit might reduce their ability to concentrate on longer texts or academic Because of this, itAos important for schools, teachers, and families to help generation Z to make healthy media habits.
Educators can start by including digital literacy in lessons while also encouraging reading and writing in more traditional A balanced approach will help Gen Z grow as both creative digital users and thoughtful learners.
REFERENCES