THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE YOUNG GENERATION’S OPINION REGARDING ECONOMIC PRESSURE IN THE #KABURAJADULU PHENOMENON ON SOCIAL-MEDIA

Abstrak

This study examines the viral hashtag #KaburAjaDulu as a form of social criticism of economic pressure, particularly felt by the younger generation in Indonesia. This hashtag reflects disappointment with the government regarding low wages and limited job opportunities domestically. As a result, many of them have begun considering working abroad for a better life, leading the hashtag to go viral. This study is a qualitative approach using digital fieldwork. This study utilizes symbolic interactionism, public space, and agenda setting in the sociology of communication subject, analyzed 150 comments from 15 posts on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter from January to May 2025. The data was analyzed using NVivo software to identify key themes. The results show that #KaburAjaDulu has become a symbol of economic anxiety, social criticism, and the digital identity of the younger generation. Social media serves as a new space for expression and public space for expressing their emotions. This hashtag ultimately emerged and went viral, forming shared meanings that reflect public opinion on emerging social and economic issues. Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of critical digital literacy in understanding economic anxiety and social discussions among young people in the digital age.