PENGARUH PENGGUNAAN TIKTOK TERHADAP KOMPETENSI DIGITAL DENGAN MOTIVASI BELAJAR SEBAGAI MEDIASI PADA SISWA SMKN 1 GEMPOL

This study aims to analyze the effect of TikTok usage on digital competence with learning motivation as a mediating variable among students of SMKN 1 Gempol. This study employed a quantitative approach using an explanatory research design. The population consisted of 750 students of SMKN 1 Gempol. The sample was selected using a simple random sampling technique, resulting in 75 respondents, comprising 25 students from Grade X, 25 students from Grade XI, and 25 students from Grade XII. Data were collected through questionnaire distribution and analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) based on Partial Least Squares (PLS) with the assistance of SmartPLS 4.0 software. The results of the scale range analysis indicate that TikTok usage, learning motivation, and digital competence are all categorized as high. The hypothesis testing results reveal that TikTok usage has a positive and significant effect on both digital competence and learning motivation. However, learning motivation does not have a significant effect on digital competence and therefore is unable to mediate the relationship between TikTok usage and digital competence. These findings indicate that the educational use of TikTok plays a more direct role in improving students’ digital competence than through learning motivation as a mediating variable. Therefore, the educational use of TikTok can serve as an effective learning medium to support the development of students’ digital competence and enhance the quality of the learning process.