SURVEI PENGGUNAAN MEDIA SOSIAL DI KALANGAN MAHASISWA KOTA PADANG MENGGUNAKAN TEORI USES AND GRATIFICATIONS

This research utilized theory uses and gratifications for discussing students’ behavior in taking advantages of social media. Respondents came from 3 public universities in the city of Padang. The data collection method was done by distributing questionnaires and interviews, then, the data analyzed statistically. The results concluded that 97% of students claimed as social media active users. Based on the type of the application, the messenger/ chat app. was more preferable then the social networks. WhatsApp is the most application used. As many as 96% of respondents claimed using it. Whereas Facebook, the most preferable application uses throughout the world, is only used by 36% of respondents. A large number of WhatsApp users is in line with their goals and benefits use this content. The majority (87%) of respondents use social media as a tool of communication, in addition to information retrieval, and social interaction.