PERSEPSI MAHASISWA ILMU KOMUNIKASI ANGKATAN 2021 UNIVERSITAS BUDDHI DHARMA TERHADAP IDENTITAS DIRI DI APLIKASI TIKTOK

Abstract

This study focuses on how Communication Science students from the 2021 cohort at Buddhi Dharma University perceive and construct their self-identity through the use of TikTok. This phenomenon has emerged alongside the rapid development of social media, in which TikTok functions not only as a source of entertainment but also as a space for self-expression and personal image building in the digital world. Through this platform, users can share various types of content, follow trending topics, and interact with a wide audience, thereby directly or indirectly influencing how they perceive their self-identity. 

This study employs a qualitative descriptive method, with data collected through in-depth interviews and direct observation of students’ TikTok accounts. This approach provides an opportunity to gain a detailed understanding of how students express their identities, whether authentically or intentionally constructed for specific purposes.

The findings indicate variations in identity formation strategies: some students present their genuine personalities, others construct a particular image for social or professional purposes, while some adapt to trends and popular culture developing on the platform. In addition, this study reveals several factors influencing identity construction, such as the social environment, the need for recognition from others, and TikTok’s algorithm, which tailors content according to users’ preferences.

Thus, TikTok becomes a unique space where self-identity can emerge authentically, while also being shaped by social interactions and the dynamics of digital culture. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding social media as a complex arena for identity construction among the younger generation.