Social Media and Digital Technology Become the New Arena in Global Politics

In the current digital era, international relations no longer occur solely through diplomatic meetings or official negotiations between countries. The development of the internet and social media has created new spaces where information, opinions, and influence can spread rapidly across national borders. Digital platforms have now become important arenas in global politics, where countries, technology companies, and societies can mutually influence each other. This change demonstrates that digital technology has brought about a major transformation in the way international relations are conducted in the 21st century.

In International Relations studies, this change indicates that actors in the international system are no longer limited to states. The liberal approach explains that non-state actors such as multinational corporations and civil society also have influence in global politics. In the digital era, technology companies like Meta Platforms, Google, and ByteDance play important roles in controlling the global flow of information.

Social media such as Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter allow information to spread quickly across national borders. This makes the digital space a new arena in global politics, where countries can influence international public opinion through digital diplomacy and online communication strategies.

In addition to serving as a means of communication, digital technology also plays a role in shaping global narratives on various international issues. Information circulating on social media often influences how the world understands conflicts, foreign policies, or a country’s image. Therefore, control over the digital information flow becomes increasingly important as it can affect public perceptions and global political dynamics.

One example can be seen in Indonesia, where the use of digital platforms like TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has sparked discussions on the regulation of digital platforms and user data security. This issue is not only related to domestic policies but also has international dimensions because it involves global technology companies and inter-country relations.

This phenomenon shows that technology companies have now become important actors in global politics. Moreover, digital technology also provides space for civil society to participate in global issues through online campaigns and cross-border social movements.

Thus, the digital era has brought transformation to the structure of international relations. Media and technology are no longer merely communication tools but have become part of the power dynamics in global politics. Therefore, the study of international relations in the digital era needs to consider the role of technology and digital platforms as new actors in the international system.