PENGUATAN KARAKTER RELEGIUS MAHASISWA IAIN KERINCI MELALUI VIDEO AUDIO VISUAL TIKTOK

Abstract

This study aims to examine the role of TikTok audio-visual content in strengthening the religious character of students at IAIN Kerinci. The rapid development of social media has transformed TikTok from merely an entertainment platform into a medium for spreading religious values that influence users’ attitudes and behavior. This research employed a qualitative approach with a phenomenological method to explore students’ subjective experiences in accessing and interpreting religious content on TikTok. The participants consisted of four students from the Islamic Education Study Program at IAIN Kerinci selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews, then analyzed using data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing techniques. The findings revealed that religious content on TikTok contributed to increasing students’ awareness of religious practices, particularly performing prayers on time and engaging in voluntary worship activities. In addition, the content encouraged self-reflection, positive emotional responses, and active engagement in sharing religious messages. However, the process of strengthening religious character through TikTok still faced several challenges, including the dominance of entertainment content, limited video duration, and students’ inconsistency in applying religious values in daily life. Overall, this study highlights that TikTok has significant potential as a medium for religious preaching and character education when used wisely and selectively.