Internet-based social media and its influence on student behaviour changes

This research identifies the types of social media used by students, its use as well as its impacts to student behavior in learning, communication, social attitude and learning motivation. This research is conducted in Medan city, Indonesia involving senior high school students as the respondents. The sample are randomly selected, 48 S. RI and 104 S.TI. Data is collected by using questionnaires, interview and observation, while analysed by using descriptive statistics. The finding of the research reveals that Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook make up the mostly used, whereas Twitter, Instagram, WeChat and Telegram use is less. The average duration of social media use is 11,31 hours per day with the highest order for social and entertainment purpose, whereas only the third and sixth for learning and insights purpose respectively. The use of social media for learning is found more among S. RI, while S. TI students. Behavior change identified are the increase of learning activity but the learning pattern is decreased. The frequency of communication increases, but the quality directly decreases. In terms of social behavior, caring and sensitivity increases, but emotional management decreases. This research suggests that it is important to socialize and guide the students in using social media, so threats could be turned into opportunities for Indonesian young generations.