ql-align-justify"> In today’s society, one of the most significant contemporary social practices—especially among youth or Gen Z—is the active use of social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and X. These platforms are no longer used solely for connecting with family and friends. Instead, they have become essential spaces for communication, self-expression, civic engagement, and even economic activity. Social media now plays a central role in the everyday lives of young people and shapes how they interact with the world.

As a social practice, social media is used to spread awareness about important social issues such as mental health, human rights, environmental protection, and political concerns. Through posts, shared articles, live streams, and short-form videos, users can inform and influence others quickly and widely. It also provides a platform for individuals to express their opinions, beliefs, and personal experiences. In this way, social media becomes a space for identity construction, where users present themselves through curated images, captions, videos, and interactions. Additionally, businesses—both small and large—utilize these platforms to expand their reach, attract customers, and promote products or services, making social media a powerful marketing tool.

This practice has several important communicative features. First, it is multimodal, combining text, images, videos, music, emojis, and hashtags to create meaning. Second, it is interactive and immediate, allowing users to comment, react, and share content instantly. Third, the language used is often informal, creative, and shaped by internet culture, including memes and slang. Fourth, algorithms influence which content becomes visible, meaning not all messages reach audiences equally.

The implications for literacies pedagogy are significant. Traditional reading and writing skills are no longer sufficient. Educators must incorporate digital and media literacy, teaching students how to evaluate the credibility of information, recognize bias, understand how algorithms work, and create responsible online content. Critical thinking skills are essential to combat misinformation and disinformation. Therefore, social media not only transforms communication practices but also challenges education systems to broaden the concept of literacy in the digital age.

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Contemporary Social Practice: Active Use of Social Media Among Gen Z