Digital Escapism and Everyday Resistance: Self-Representation in the #KaburAjaDulu Phenomenon on Platform X

Abstract

The hashtag #KaburAjaDulu has emerged as a popular digital expression among Indonesian social media users, reflecting reactions to socio-economic and political pressures. Rather than merely humorous content, this phenomenon reflects a collective desire to momentarily escape from daily burdens while simultaneously voicing subtle resistance to systemic constraints. This study investigates how users on Platform X construct self-representation through the hashtag as a form of digital escapism and everyday resistance. Employing a qualitative netnographic approach, data were collected through online observation, post documentation, and supporting interviews to interpret the meanings and identity practices embedded in the communication patterns. The findings reveal three dominant forms of identity performance: (1) humor-based coping that reframes stressful realities, (2) digital solidarity that builds communal resilience, and (3) implicit social critique, which functions as a covert resistance to hegemonic pressures. This study demonstrates that #KaburAjaDulu serves not only as a coping mechanism but also as a cultural strategy for negotiating power and identity within Indonesia's digital public sphere. It highlights the growing role of social media as a space where emotional expression, identity construction, and subtle resistance intertwine in everyday life.