KaburAjaDulu and Mental Health: Youth Expression through Digital Media in Indonesia
Keywords:
Digital media, Hashtag Activism, Youth Mental Health, Social Movements, IndonesiaAbstract
Digital media has rapidly transformed into a central arena for Indonesian youth to express their voices, confront social realities, and negotiate their identities. The viral hashtag #KaburAjaDulu illustrates how young people channel collective frustrations regarding economic hardship, educational uncertainty, and political disillusionment into public digital conversations. At the same time, the movement reveals a growing awareness of mental health challenges, where feelings of stress, anxiety, and burnout are articulated through online narratives of “escape.” This study explores how #KaburAjaDulu functions not only as a symbolic protest but also as a communicative practice that connects youth, shapes perceptions, and fosters solidarity. Using discourse analysis of Twitter/X and TikTok content, supported by interviews with active participants, the research examines how digital storytelling, memes, and viral trends frame discontent while simultaneously constructing informal support networks. The findings indicate that #KaburAjaDulu contributes to destigmatizing mental health by normalizing conversations on emotional well-being and resilience in public digital spaces. This study concludes that the movement should be understood as more than a temporary online trend; it exemplifies how digital platforms cultivate new forms of social mobilization, youth empowerment, and community engagement in contemporary Indonesia.
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