The Influence of Social Media and Rapid Information Dissemination on Students in the Digital Era

Abstract

The development of digital technology has made social media one of the main sources of information for students. This study aims to determine the influence of social media and the rapid spread of information on students' behavior, understanding, and academic activities in the digital era. The main problem raised is how social media affects information consumption patterns and its impact on students' critical and academic capacity. The method used in this study is quantitative descriptive by distributing questionnaires to 120 students from various departments in the West Java region. Data analysis was carried out using statistical correlation techniques and simple regression. The findings show that the intensity of social media use increases with increased access to information, but is also associated with learning disorders and the spread of unverified information. The discussion shows that students tend to receive information instantly without verification, which can affect critical judgment and academic objectivity. The conclusion of this study is that social media and the rapid spread of information have a significant impact on students, both positively and negatively. Therefore, it is necessary to increase digital literacy so that students can filter and utilize information intelligently and responsibly.