VOKASI NEWS – In today’s hyper-connected world, social media is more than just a space for sharing memes and staying in touch. Basically, it has quietly evolved into a vibrant, informal classroom for language learners. For Indonesian teenagers and university students, platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Discord, and TikTok are becoming essential tools for acquiring and practicing English outside the traditional educational setting.
A recent study conducted among students at Airlangga University and Indonesian teenagers on Discord servers reveals how deeply social media is woven into the fabric of language learning. Although, with participants spending an average of 4–6 hours daily on these platforms, and their engagement is not just social but increasingly educational.
Why Social Media for English Learning?
The research highlights several compelling reasons why young Indonesians are turning to social media to improve their English:
- Accessibility and Familiarity: Platforms like YouTube and Instagram are already integral to their daily lives, making learning feel less like a formal task and more like a natural extension of their online activities.
- Exposure to Authentic Content: From videos and podcasts to memes and discussions, social media provides continuous, real-world exposure to English in varied contexts—formal and informal.
- Low-Anxiety Environment: Many participants reported that learning through social media feels “relaxed and stress-free,” lowering what language educators call the “affective filter”—the emotional barriers that can hinder learning.
- Skill Development Across Domains: Learners reported improvements not only in vocabulary and grammar but also in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through interactive and multimedia content.
Real Benefits, Real Challenges
A study conducted with 38 Indonesian participants—university students and teenagers—revealed strong positive perceptions of social media for ELT:
- Enhanced Accessibility and Motivation: 60.5% of respondents strongly agreed that social media is easy to use for learning English, and 63.2% found it creates a relaxed, stress-free learning environment (Survey Results, 2025). The informal, self-directed nature of browsing platforms like YouTube for English content turns leisure time into productive language practice, fostering sustained motivation and learner autonomy (Baföz, 2016.)
- Development of Language Skills: Platforms provide multifaceted exposure. YouTube was the most frequently used platform (76.3%), followed by Instagram (50%) and TikTok (28.9%) (Survey Results, 2025). This exposure enhances receptive skills (listening and reading) through videos and posts, and productive skills (writing and speaking) through comments and interactions. 50% of participants strongly agreed that social media helps acquire new vocabulary (Survey Results, 2025).
However, the research also sheds light on significant challenges:
- Distractions and Time Management: The immersive, entertaining nature of platforms can lead to significant distractions. 52.6% of participants agreed that many distractions exist when learning English via social media. This “chronophagic” quality can displace academic priorities (Altam, 2020; Devi et al., 2019).
- Content and Privacy Concerns: Learners are exposed to unsuitable content, with 60.5% agreeing that inappropriate material is prevalent (Survey Results, 2025). Furthermore, privacy concerns and the commodification of user data create apprehension, potentially undermining trust in these as learning spaces (Jalal, 2012).
Conclusion
Social media has undeniably become a significant enabler of English language acquisition among Indonesian youth. It provides an accessible, engaging, and low-pressure environment that encourages autonomous learning and continuous practice. While challenges like technical limitations and content risks remain, the overall sentiment is clear. When used intentionally, social media is not just a tool for connection—it’s a dynamic space for growth, learning, and linguistic empowerment.
After all, for a generation growing up online, the future of language learning may well be digital, interactive, and profoundly social.
BACA JUGA: [Menjejak Sunrise of Java: Mahasiswa Perhotelan UNAIR Pamerkan Keindahan Banyuwangi]
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Penulis: Yagzan Adhiraja
Editor: Puspa Anggun Pertiwi
