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Abstract

This study explores the evolving role of social media in shaping users’ digital engagement, social problem management, psychological well-being, and economic mobility in Malaysia. A total of 374 respondents participated in an online survey, selected using purposive sampling to capture active users across diverse age, income, and educational backgrounds. The study employed a structured questionnaire with Likert-scale items to evaluate perceptions of virtual community participation. Linear regression and moderation analysis were conducted to determine how social media usage predicts social issue management, emotional and social needs fulfillment, and economic opportunity access. Digital literacy was tested as a moderator between social media use and SPM. Social media had the strongest influence on psychological needs fulfillment (β = 0.52), followed by social problem management (β = 0.45) and economic mobility (β = 0.38). Digital literacy significantly moderated the relationship between social media and problem-solving capacity (β = 0.18, p < 0.05), that user competence enhances civic engagement outcomes. These results offer both theoretical and practical implications for digital inclusion strategies and community empowerment through online platforms. This study contributes to the field of digital sociology by integrating insights from social capital, uses and gratifications, self-determination, and social identity theories. It also highlights the need for inclusive platform design and policy frameworks that support both DL and EA.

Bahasa Abstract

Studi ini mengeksplorasi peran media sosial yang terus berkembang dalam membentuk keterlibatan digital, pengelolaan masalah sosial, kesejahteraan psikologis, dan mobilitas ekonomi di antara pengguna di Malaysia. Sebanyak 374 responden berpartisipasi dalam survei daring, yang dipilih menggunakan purposive sampling untuk menjaring pengguna aktif dari berbagai usia, pendapatan, dan latar belakang pendidikan. Studi ini menggunakan kuesioner terstruktur dengan item skala Likert untuk mengevaluasi persepsi partisipasi komunitas virtual. Regresi linier dan analisis moderasi dilakukan untuk menentukan bagaimana penggunaan media sosial memprediksi pengelolaan masalah sosial, pemenuhan kebutuhan emosional dan sosial, serta akses terhadap peluang ekonomi. Literasi digital diuji sebagai moderator antara penggunaan media sosial dan pengelolaan masalah sosial. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa media sosial memiliki pengaruh paling kuat terhadap pemenuhan kebutuhan psikologis (β = 0,52), diikuti oleh pengelolaan masalah sosial (β = 0,45), and dan mobilitas ekonomi (β = 0,38). Literasi digital secara signifikan memoderasi hubungan antara media sosial dan kapasitas pemecahan masalah (β = 0,18, p < 0,05), yang menunjukkan bahwa kompetensi pengguna meningkatkan hasil keterlibatan masyarakat. Hasil ini menawarkan implikasi teoretis dan praktis bagi strategi inklusi digital dan pemberdayaan masyarakat melalui platform daring. Studi ini berkontribusi pada sosiologi digital dengan mengintegrasikan wawasan dari Teori Modal Sosial, Teori Penggunaan dan Gratifikasi, Teori Penentuan Nasib Sendiri, dan Teori Identitas Sosial. Studi ini juga menyoroti perlunya desain platform inklusif dan kerangka kebijakan yang mendukung literasi digital dan akses yang adil.

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