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Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 141 views

Attitude of Adolescent Nationalism in the Digital Era: A Case Study in Si Pare-Pare

Introduction

The digital era has revolutionized the way we live, interact, and access information. Social media, in particular, has become an integral part of modern life, with adolescents being among the most active users. However, the impact of social media on the mindset and behavior of the younger generation, including their attitude towards nationalism, is a topic of growing concern. This article explores the attitude of adolescent nationalism in the digital era, with a focus on a case study conducted in Si Pare-Pare, South Sulawesi.

The Significance of Nationalism in the Digital Age

Nationalism is a complex and multifaceted concept that encompasses a range of values, including love of country, tolerance, and unity. In the digital age, where information and global culture are readily available, the attitude of nationalism among adolescents is crucial. A strong sense of nationalism can foster a sense of responsibility, mutual cooperation, and a desire to build the country. Conversely, a weak or negative attitude towards nationalism can lead to intolerance, hatred, and a loss of identity.

Research Methodology

The research conducted in Si Pare-Pare involved 96 teenagers as research subjects. The study used descriptive statistical methods and measured the attitude of nationalism using a scale designed by Hafnidar (2021). The scale was tested in advance to ensure its validity in the Pare-Pare teenage population.

Findings

The results of the study showed that the attitude of nationalism of Youth Social Media Users in Si Pare-Pare was in the category high. This finding gives a glimmer of hope that nationalism remains an important value for the younger generation even though they are actively interacting with social media.

Factors Influencing Adolescent Nationalism

Several factors can influence adolescent nationalism in the digital age, including:

Popular Culture Effects

Social media is a gateway for adolescents to access popular culture from various countries. This can lead to the potential for loss of identity and nationalism, especially if they admire more outside culture than their own culture.

Ethnicity and Nationalism

This research needs to consider ethnicity factors in shaping the attitude of nationalism. Indonesia is a country with high ethnic and cultural diversity. Further research is needed to understand how the influence of ethnicity on adolescent nationalism in Si Pare-Pare, considering that this region has a unique demographic characteristic.

Social Media Content

Content consumed by adolescents on social media has an important role in shaping the attitude of nationalism. Content that is provocative, divisive, or cornering certain groups can erode a sense of nationalism and replace it with an attitude of intolerance and hatred.

Digital Literacy

Increasing adolescent digital literacy is the key to fostering a healthy attitude of nationalism in the digital age. Teenagers need to be taught to be critical in addressing information, distinguishing credible and not credible content, and understanding the impact of their behavior in cyberspace.

Building a Sustainable Adolescent Nationalism

This research provides a strong foundation for efforts to build sustainable adolescent nationalism in the digital age. Several strategic steps that can be taken include:

Strengthening Character Education

Character education in schools and families must emphasize the values of nationalism, such as the love of the motherland, tolerance, and unity.

Utilizing Social Media Positively

Social media can be an effective tool to foster a sense of nationalism. Teenagers can be encouraged to create positive content that raises the values of nationalism, such as art, culture, history, and national achievements.

Cooperation between Parties

Cooperation between the government, educational institutions, and community organizations is very necessary to build programs and activities that can improve adolescent nationalism.

Conclusion

Nationalism is not just a slogan or symbol. True nationalism is about tangible attitudes and behaviors, such as a sense of responsibility towards the nation, the spirit of mutual cooperation, and the desire to build the country. By understanding and managing the influence of social media, we can help adolescents become the next generation who have strong nationalism, broad-minded, and noble character.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations can be made:

Increase digital literacy: Educate adolescents on how to critically evaluate information, distinguish credible and not credible content, and understand the impact of their behavior in cyberspace.
Promote positive social media content: Encourage teenagers to create positive content that raises the values of nationalism, such as art, culture, history, and national achievements.
Strengthen character education: Emphasize the values of nationalism, such as the love of the motherland, tolerance, and unity, in schools and families.
Foster cooperation between parties: Encourage cooperation between the government, educational institutions, and community organizations to build programs and activities that can improve adolescent nationalism.

By implementing these recommendations, we can help adolescents develop a strong sense of nationalism, which is essential for building a better future for the country.
Frequently Asked Questions: Attitude of Adolescent Nationalism in the Digital Era

Q: What is adolescent nationalism?

A: Adolescent nationalism refers to the attitude and behavior of young people towards their country, including their sense of identity, loyalty, and responsibility towards the nation.

Q: Why is adolescent nationalism important?

A: Adolescent nationalism is crucial because it can shape the future of the country. A strong sense of nationalism can foster a sense of responsibility, mutual cooperation, and a desire to build the country, while a weak or negative attitude towards nationalism can lead to intolerance, hatred, and a loss of identity.

Q: What are the factors that influence adolescent nationalism?

A: Several factors can influence adolescent nationalism, including popular culture effects, ethnicity and nationalism, social media content, and digital literacy.

Q: How can social media affect adolescent nationalism?

A: Social media can have both positive and negative effects on adolescent nationalism. On the one hand, social media can provide a platform for teenagers to express their love for their country and share positive content that raises the values of nationalism. On the other hand, social media can also expose teenagers to provocative, divisive, or cornering content that can erode a sense of nationalism and replace it with an attitude of intolerance and hatred.

Q: What is the role of digital literacy in shaping adolescent nationalism?

A: Digital literacy is crucial in shaping adolescent nationalism. Teenagers need to be taught to be critical in addressing information, distinguishing credible and not credible content, and understanding the impact of their behavior in cyberspace.

Q: How can parents and educators promote positive adolescent nationalism?

A: Parents and educators can promote positive adolescent nationalism by:

Emphasizing the values of nationalism: Teach teenagers the importance of love of the motherland, tolerance, and unity.
Encouraging positive social media content: Encourage teenagers to create positive content that raises the values of nationalism, such as art, culture, history, and national achievements.
Fostering cooperation between parties: Encourage cooperation between the government, educational institutions, and community organizations to build programs and activities that can improve adolescent nationalism.

Q: What are the benefits of promoting positive adolescent nationalism?

A: Promoting positive adolescent nationalism can have several benefits, including:

Fostering a sense of responsibility: Encourage teenagers to take responsibility for their actions and contribute to the development of the country.
Promoting mutual cooperation: Encourage teenagers to work together to achieve common goals and build a better future for the country.
Developing a sense of identity: Encourage teenagers to develop a sense of identity and pride in their country and culture.

Q: What are the challenges of promoting positive adolescent nationalism?

A: Promoting positive adolescent nationalism can be challenging due to several factors, including:

Social media influence: Social media can have a negative impact on adolescent nationalism, exposing teenagers to provocative, divisive, or cornering content.
Digital literacy: Teenagers may lack the digital literacy skills to critically evaluate information and distinguish credible and not credible content.
Ethnicity and nationalism: Indonesia is a country with high ethnic and cultural diversity, which can make it challenging to promote a sense of nationalism among teenagers.

Q: What are the recommendations for promoting positive adolescent nationalism?

A: Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations can be made:

Increase digital literacy: Educate adolescents on how to critically evaluate information, distinguish credible and not credible content, and understand the impact of their behavior in cyberspace.
Promote positive social media content: Encourage teenagers to create positive content that raises the values of nationalism, such as art, culture, history, and national achievements.
Strengthen character education: Emphasize the values of nationalism, such as the love of the motherland, tolerance, and unity, in schools and families.
Foster cooperation between parties: Encourage cooperation between the government, educational institutions, and community organizations to build programs and activities that can improve adolescent nationalism.