Digital Democracy in Pakistan: Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Political Awareness and Participation among Youth

Abstract

The role of social media has been rising in all social movements across various countries with high internet access rates. Due to its use by politicians and activists, social media has evolved into a free and powerful tool for mass political communication. Participating in online social networks is a trend that the younger generation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) eagerly adopts. The primary focus of this research is on the power of social media in increasing political awareness in Kohat Division, KP, aiming to understand its role in promoting political understanding. With the growing popularity of smartphones, the internet, and the mainstream media's perceived ignorance and bias toward political events, social media has become an alternative and accessible source of information for the public. The current quantitative study involved a questionnaire survey conducted among 100 male and 100 female participants aged 18 to 45 years from universities in Kohat Division, using purposive sampling. The data were analyzed with SPSS. The results indicate that many participants felt well-informed about political issues because of social media exposure. Most expressed confidence in their ability to take part in political discussions and activities. Additionally, they reported using social media to share political content, attend rallies, and participate in debates, showing a change in political engagement among youth in semi-urban areas. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, civil society actors, and educators to utilize digital tools for inclusive democratic development, especially in less urbanized areas like Kohat Division.