DIGITAL STORYTELLING AS A COMMUNICATION COMPETENCY AND CREATIVE SKILL ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

Abstract

Social media has become the primary platform for high school students to interact, develop creativity, and enhance communication skills. One effective method that can be utilized is digital storytelling a form of storytelling that uses digital technology by combining text, images, sound, and video. Digital storytelling consists of three main elements: narrative, digital media, and audience engagement. In South Tangerang, the high usage of social media among students has not been matched by adequate understanding of how to create engaging content, apply effective storytelling techniques, or adhere to digital media ethics. The main problems include a lack of understanding of the digital storytelling concept, limited technical skills in content production, low awareness of digital ethics, and minimal guidance in content development. The urgency of this Community Service Program lies in the fact that social media has become an inseparable part of high school students' lives, serving as their primary means of interaction, expression, and creativity. However, the high consumption of digital media is not balanced by sufficient knowledge of digital storytelling techniques, compelling content creation, or ethical considerations in using social media. Students tend to be passive consumers or are exposed to less educational content, without possessing the skills to create persuasive and informative narratives. Therefore, an educational intervention is needed to equip students with digital storytelling skills, so they can produce engaging, meaningful, and responsible content. To address these challenges, a digital storytelling skills development program for high school students is essential. This program aims to equip them with storytelling techniques, foster creativity and communication, enhance digital literacy, and encourage productive use of social media. The proposed solutions include conceptual workshops, technical skills training, digital ethics education, optimizing social media for educational purposes, and mentoring in content production. The expected outcomes of this program are an increase in competitiveness and the application of science and technology in society, particularly among high school students in South Tangerang City. Through this program, students are expected to become more creative in communication and capable of producing valuable and responsible digital content, thus becoming wise and innovative content creators in the digital era.