The Role of Social Media in Shaping Political Behavior among University Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37899/mjds.v2i2.212Keywords:
Civic Engagement, Digital Literacy, Political Behavior, Political Communication, Social Media, University Students, Youth ParticipationAbstract
This study examines the role of social media in shaping the political behavior of university students in Makassar. The research aims to analyze how digital platforms influence political awareness, attitudes, and participation among youth in an increasingly connected society. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining survey data from 200 students and in-depth interviews with 20 participants. The findings indicate that social media has become a central source of political information, with Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok serving as the dominant platforms. Social media significantly enhances political awareness and encourages political discussion, although its impact on political trust remains mixed due to misinformation and conflicting narratives. Political participation is largely characterized by online engagement, while offline participation remains limited. These findings suggest that social media functions as both an empowering and contested space for youth political socialization. The study highlights the need to strengthen digital literacy and critical political engagement to foster more informed democratic participation among young citizens.
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