Democracy in The Digital Era: Unraveling The Impact of Social Media on Indonesia's 2024 Election Landscape

The general election that will be held in 2024 is currently the main focus. As a democratic country, elections are a means for the Indonesian people to determine their leaders. However, along with the development of technology and public penetration of social media, it can certainly affect this election. Social media has emerged as a major force shaping people's views on elections. In an era where information is spread faster than ever before, social media has become crucial in shaping opinions and views and playing a role in voter decision-making. As the main information platform, social media provides a space to disseminate various information related to current issues, such as elections. Although it is considered to have a positive impact such as increasing voter participation, social media is certainly also a place to spread false information. The positive impact is engaging young voters and raising awareness of politics, while the negative impact is requiring vigilance against hoaxes and issues that trigger social divisions. Social media also provides a space to express opinions regarding political issues and competing candidates. In this context, social media can be used as a venue for digital campaigns aimed at increasing the popularity of candidates and political parties.