YOUTH POLITICAL AWARENESS IN PAKISTAN: ANALYZING THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

Abstract

Social media plays a big role in sharing political news and shaping opinions in today's digital world. Since many young people in Pakistan use social media, it raises questions about how it affects their political knowledge, voting behavior, and the risk of misinformation. This study explores how platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram influence the political awareness of Pakistani youth. A recent survey shows that over 60% of young Pakistanis have internet access, making social media a key source for gathering and sharing political information. Researchers collected data from 233 participants using Google Forms. The study examined different aspects of social media’s impact, such as awareness levels, political involvement, and the trustworthiness of online content. Participants shared their views on how they observe and engage with political content on social media. Many rely on digital platforms for education, work, or entertainment. Regarding social media usage, 9% spend 1 to 2 hours daily, 7.7% spend 3 hours, and 3.4% spend 4 hours or more. Additionally, 45.5% of respondents reported using social media for political purposes, while 54.5% did not.