The Transformation of Social Relations in Rural Communities in the Digital Era: A Study of Changes in Interaction Patterns and Social Cohesion in Petak Bahandang Village, Katingan Regency

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the transformation of social relations in the digital era by examining changes in social interaction patterns, the emergence of new forms of social relationships, and their implications for social cohesion in Petak Bahandang Village, Katingan Regency. This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach. Data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving village officials, community leaders, religious leaders, youth leaders, and residents who actively use digital media. Informants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were analyzed using the interactive model consisting of data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings reveal that digitalization has transformed social interaction patterns from predominantly face-to-face communication into a combination of direct and digital interactions. The study also identifies the emergence of new forms of social relations, including virtual communities, digital social networks, and social connections that extend beyond village boundaries. Furthermore, digitalization has not weakened social cohesion but has instead fostered a hybrid form of social cohesion that integrates traditional values of mutual cooperation, solidarity, and community engagement with digital communication practices.