Between Social Media And Face-To-Face Interaction: Social Practices Of Post-Disaster Rural Communities (A Study Of Bulukerto Village, Batu City)

Abstract

Social media is widely recognized as an important tool for disaster communication, yet its role in rural communities remains underexplored. This study examines post-disaster communication practices in Bulukerto Village, Batu City, following the 2021 flash floods. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected through field observations, in-depth interviews, and document analysis. Findings reveal that although most residents have access to social media, face-to-face communication remains the dominant practice due to its stronger social legitimacy in building trust, reinforcing solidarity, and mobilizing collective action. Social media functions only as a complementary medium for practical coordination and personal expression rather than the primary communication platform. These findings demonstrate that post-disaster communication is shaped by local social structures, collective experiences, and community values. The study contributes to disaster sociology by highlighting the contextual limitations of social media and the enduring importance of social relationships in post-disaster recovery.