Fenomenologi Gen Z Pengguna Aplikasi Line di Pekanbaru

Abstract

Amid the ongoing shift toward instant messaging and social media platforms, some Generation Z users in Pekanbaru continue to use LINE despite the availability of alternative communication applications. This persistence raises questions about the past experiences that shaped their usage habits and the purposes and meanings that keep LINE relevant in everyday life. This study aims to describe the experiences, purposes, and meanings of LINE use among Generation Z in Pekanbaru through Alfred Schutz's concepts of the because motive and the in-order-to motive. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach. Eleven Generation Z informants aged 21-22 years who were still active LINE users were selected through linear snowball sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews. The analysis involved phenomenological reduction, selection of relevant data, thematic clustering, categorization of meaning patterns, conclusion drawing, and verification of findings. The findings show that the because motive consists of two main experiences: the initial introduction to LINE through oneself, family, and school friends, and the early experience of using LINE for interaction and entertainment. In the in-order-to motive, LINE is used to maintain friendships, obtain news, and fulfill entertainment needs. LINE is also interpreted as a space for memories, including storing personal photos and files, and as a communication medium that sustains relationships and expands social connections. These findings indicate that continued use of a digital platform is shaped not only by technological novelty but also by accumulated experience, relational attachment, and personal meaning.