Digital Reading Experiences in the Social Media Era: A Theoretical Study of Digital Literacy among Tenth-Grade Students at SMK YP Gajah Mada Palembang

Mustika Prima; Tahrun Tahrun; Mulyadi Mulyadi; Firdaus Masagus

Authors

Mustika Prima SMK YP Gajah Mada Palembang Author
Tahrun Tahrun Universitas PGRI Palembang Author
Mulyadi Mulyadi Universitas PGRI Palembang Author
Firdaus Masagus Universitas PGRI Palembang Author

Keywords:

digital literacy, digital reading practices, social media learning, vocational students, critical awareness

Abstract

This theoretical study examined digital reading experiences in the social media era and analyzed how digital literacy shaped reading comprehension, engagement, and critical awareness among tenth-grade students at SMK YP Gajah Mada Palembang. The study synthesized major theoretical perspectives, including digital literacy theory, new literacies, media ecology, constructivism, and connectivism. A conceptual review of international literature published between 2010 and 2025 was conducted to identify recurring patterns in digital reading behavior within social media environments. The synthesis indicated that students’ reading practices were influenced by multimodal content, continuous interactivity, and algorithm-driven exposure. These conditions affected cognitive processing, depth of analysis, and evaluative judgment when interacting with digital texts. The findings suggested that digital literacy in vocational education required a stronger emphasis on critical interpretation and reflective engagement in social media contexts.

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