PENGUATAN LITERASI MEDIA DALAM MENDORONG PENGGUNAAN MEDIA SOSIAL SECARA BIJAK DI SMK HARAPAN MULYA KENDAL

Abstract

The rapid development of information and communication technology has significantly increased the use of social media among adolescents. However, the high intensity of social media usage is often not accompanied by adequate media literacy skills, which may lead to various negative impacts such as the spread of misinformation, cyberbullying, and unethical online behavior. Therefore, educational efforts are needed to improve adolescents’ awareness and ability to use social media wisely. This community service activity aims to enhance students’ understanding and awareness of media literacy and to encourage responsible social media use. The program was conducted at SMK Harapan Mulya Kendal with students as the primary target participants, considering that they are active social media users. The methods applied in this program included educational sessions, interactive discussions, and mentoring activities focusing on media literacy, digital ethics, and strategies to identify credible information on social media platforms. The results of the activity indicate an increase in students’ understanding of the importance of media literacy, their ability to recognize unreliable information, and their awareness of responsible behavior when using social media. Furthermore, the program encouraged students to be more critical in receiving and sharing information in digital spaces. Therefore, strengthening media literacy through this community service program is expected to contribute to the development of a young generation that is critical, responsible, and wise in utilizing social media.