The Uses of Computer-Mediated Communication Video Conference in Meeting the Needs of Interaction with Peers During Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Pandemic Covid-19 makes each individual do all activities from home. It causes individuals to have difficulty meeting friends face-to-face. Application of video conference is the most popular media by now for individual interaction face-to-face with friends. The formulation of the problem in this research is how to use the term of video conferencing as a communication technology in meeting the needs of interaction with peers during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study aims to see video conferencing as technology-mediated communication in meeting needs interaction with peers. Researchers used the theory of uses and gratifications, the concepts of computer-mediated communication (CMC), video conferences, and peers. The approach used in this research is qualitative. The data interview method was carried out through interviews with subjects aged 9-21 years included elementary school student, junior high school, senior high school, and college student. The conclusions in this study reveal that individuals have a desire to establish or interact with their peers, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, which did not allow them to meet in person. So, video conferencing is a solution to the limitations of face-to-face interactions that cannot be done during the Covid-19 pandemic. The individual also gets gratification obtained in using video conference technology such as the amount of information, the relationships in their friendship are getting better, entertainment when routine boredom, and makes individual a better person.