DINAMIKA KONFLIK DIGITAL ANTARA KNETZ DAN SEABLINGS PADA TAGAR #SEABLINGS DI PLATFORM X

Abstract

Social media as a digital public space enables users to spread information, share opinions, and build participation. These interactions can also trigger conflicts, particularly when debates contain racial sentiments. This phenomenon is evident in the conflict between Knetz and SEAblings through the #SEAblings hashtag on the X application, which originated from fandom debates and escalated into a regional identity conflict following comments that denigrated Southeast Asian society. This research aimed to describe the conflict dynamics, narrative forms, group identity formation, regional solidarity, and digital racism practices that emerged and were reproduced in Knetz and SEAblings interactions. A qualitative method with a netnographic approach was used. The analysis applied the Social Identity Theory by Henri Tajfel as developed by D. Abrams and M. Hogg, the Social Conflict Theory by Lewis Coser, and the connective action concept by Bennett and Segerberg. The findings showed that the #SEAblings conflict moved through three phases: triggering, escalation, and declining intensity. Four narrative patterns were identified: attack, resistance, humor and meme, and cultural affirmation narratives. The conflict drove the use of #SEAblings as a collective identity among Southeast Asian netizens and served as a space for the reproduction of racism through physical, economic, cultural, and group identity stereotypes. These findings indicate that digital conflict strengthens in-group solidarity while simultaneously maintaining tension with the out-group.