Linguistic Politeness on Social Media as a Reflection of Character Among the Younger Generation

Abstract

The development of social media in the digital era has transformed the communication patterns of the younger generation, making them more open, fast, and free. This situation has also given rise to various violations of language ethics, such as the use of hate speech, sarcasm, verbal insults, and cyberbullying, reflecting a decline in politeness in the digital space. This article aims to describe the phenomenon of politeness in digital communication, analyze the relationship between language use and the character development of the younger generation, and explain efforts to improve language ethics in social media. This research uses a literature review method with a descriptive qualitative approach. Data were obtained from various secondary sources, including scientific journals, books, and previous research relevant to the study of politeness and digital communication. Data analysis techniques include data reduction, data presentation, and descriptive conclusion drawing. The results of the study indicate that language use in social media not only functions as a means of communication but also reflects the character, empathy, social responsibility, and emotional maturity of the younger generation. Therefore, strengthening digital literacy, character education, and cultivating polite communication habits are necessary to create an ethical, healthy, and responsible digital communication culture.