The Role of Social Media in the Participation of Youths in Politics (a Case Study of 2023 General Elections)
CHAPTER ONE
Research Objective
The main objective of this study is to investigate the role of social media in the participation of youths in politics (a case study of the 2023 general elections). Specific objectives include to:
- Discover the political activities that Nigerian youths use social media for.
- Examine the impact of the use of social media platforms by Nigerian youths on their participation in the 2023 general elections.
- Assess the most important individual, social, or material determinant of the participation process.
- Find out if social media attracts new participants or reinforces the participation of those already active online.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
Social media has become an integral part of modern-day communication, with millions of people across the globe relying on various social media platforms to connect with others, share information, and access news and other content. In Nigeria, social media has become a powerful tool for political communication, with political parties, politicians, and other stakeholders using these platforms to engage with citizens, share their views, and mobilize support. This literature review aims to provide an overview of recent research on the use of social media in Nigeria, focusing on its impact on political communication.
Conceptual Review
The Concept of Social Media
Social media has become an integral part of modern-day communication, providing individuals with various online platforms and technologies that enable them to create, share, and exchange content. Social media has grown to become a ubiquitous aspect of daily life, with users across the world relying on various platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube. In Nigeria, these platforms have become essential tools for political communication, providing politicians with a direct line of communication with their constituents.
In recent years, social media usage in Nigeria has experienced significant growth, with over 85 million Nigerians actively using social media platforms. This represents a significant increase from previous years, highlighting the growing importance of social media in the country. According to a study by Onuoha and Ugwuegbu (2021), social media has become a critical tool for civic engagement, with Nigerians using these platforms to mobilize support for various causes. With the rise of social media in Nigeria, it has become apparent that these platforms are transforming the country’s political landscape.
Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have become the primary mode of communication between politicians and their constituents. Nigerian politicians are using social media to reach a broader audience, engage with voters, and build relationships with their constituents. In addition, these platforms have become essential tools for political campaigns, enabling candidates to mobilize support and reach a wider audience. As highlighted by Oladapo et al. (2021), social media has become a critical tool for political campaigns, providing candidates with the ability to reach voters directly and mobilize support.
Social media has also transformed political communication in Nigeria, providing politicians with new ways to communicate with citizens. As noted by Adebayo and Adedokun (2021), social media has the potential to enhance transparency and accountability in governance. Politicians who use social media effectively can build trust and credibility with their constituents, as these platforms provide a means for citizens to engage with politicians and hold them accountable. Furthermore, social media has become an essential tool for citizen engagement, providing a platform for citizens to voice their opinions and participate in the political process.
However, the use of social media in Nigerian politics also raises concerns about misinformation, hate speech, and online harassment. The spread of fake news and misinformation on social media platforms has become a significant challenge in Nigeria, leading to widespread public concern. Nigerian policymakers and regulatory authorities are grappling with the challenge of developing policies and regulations to address these issues while still preserving freedom of expression and promoting online civic engagement.
In conclusion, social media has transformed political communication in Nigeria, providing politicians with new ways to reach their constituents and engage with citizens. The growing importance of social media in Nigerian politics is reflected in the significant increase in social media usage in recent years. Social media has become an essential tool for political campaigns and civic engagement, providing a platform for citizens to voice their opinions and participate in the political process. However, the challenges associated with social media, such as the spread of fake news and misinformation, require policymakers and regulatory authorities to develop policies and regulations to address these issues effectively.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter presents the research design and methodology for the study. It provides a detailed explanation of the research design, the population of the study, sample size, sampling technique, research instrument, validity and reliability of the study, method of data collection, and method of data analysis.
Research Design
The research design refers to the plan or strategy used to answer research questions or test research hypotheses. It outlines the procedures that will be followed to collect and analyze data. There are various types of research designs, including experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, survey, and case study designs(Sekhon, & Sandhu, 2022). For this study, a quantitative survey research design will be used. The survey research design involves collecting data from a sample of respondents using a standardized questionnaire. This design is appropriate for this study because it allows the researcher to collect large amounts of data from a large number of respondents within a short period.
Population of the Study
The population of a study refers to the entire group of individuals or objects that the researcher is interested in studying. For this study, the population comprises Nigerian youths who are eligible to vote in the 2023 general elections and who are active users of social media platforms.
According to the National Population Commission (NPC) in Nigeria, the population of youths aged 18-35 is estimated to be over 70 million, which is about 43% of the country’s total population (NPC, 2020). This highlights the importance of understanding the role of social media in the political participation of Nigerian youths, given their significant proportion of the population. In this study, the target population is set to be 200 Nigerian youths who are eligible to vote in the 2023 general elections and who are active users of social media platforms.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
Data Presentation
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary of Findings
The study examined the role of social media in shaping political discourse and engagement among Nigerian youths. The findings revealed that social media plays a vital role in political participation, as the majority of respondents engaged in online political discussions or debates on social media platforms. This indicates that social media is a significant platform for political discourse, and individuals are using it to express their political views and engage in discussions with others.
Moreover, the study found that most respondents frequently used social media for political engagement, suggesting that it is a crucial platform for political participation. Social media enables individuals to participate in political activities and discussions from the comfort of their own homes. This convenience makes it easier for individuals to engage in political activities, even if they are not physically present at political rallies or events.
The study also revealed that social media has made Nigerian youths more politically aware, highlighting its potential for political mobilization and education. Social media platforms provide individuals with access to a vast array of political content, including news articles, videos, and opinion pieces. The availability of this content has made it easier for individuals to become politically informed and engaged. Furthermore, social media enables individuals to share this content with others, potentially reaching a broader audience and creating a snowball effect of political awareness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study highlighted the important role that social media plays in shaping political discourse and engagement among Nigerian youths. The findings of this study reveal that social media has transformed the way citizens participate in the democratic process, enabling individuals to express their political views, engage in discussions with others, and participate in political activities from the comfort of their own homes. Social media has also made it easier for like-minded individuals to connect and mobilize for political causes, resulting in increased political participation and civic engagement in Nigeria.
However, it is important to note that social media also has its limitations, such as the spread of misinformation and the potential for online harassment and hate speech. Therefore, individuals and policymakers must be mindful of these risks and take steps to address them. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that social media has had a significant impact on the way politics is conducted and the role of citizens in the democratic process in Nigeria. As such, political actors and policymakers need to recognize the power of social media as a tool for political engagement and work to ensure that it is used in ways that are beneficial to society as a whole.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of this study on the role of social media in the participation of youths in politics during the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the following recommendations are suggested:
- Develop targeted social media campaigns to increase youth voter registration and participation in the electoral process, leveraging social media influencers and popular social media platforms.
- Provide education and training programs to equip young people with the skills necessary to effectively use social media for political engagement and to identify and counteract misinformation.
- Encourage the development of innovative social media tools and platforms that can enhance youth participation in the political process, such as online voter registration and polling.
- Establish partnerships between government, civil society, and private sector actors to develop and implement social media strategies that encourage youth political engagement and civic participation.
- Promote greater online civility and responsible use of social media, including efforts to combat hate speech and online harassment, to create a safe and inclusive environment for political discourse.
- Encourage the use of social media for political mobilization and organizing, while ensuring that such efforts are conducted in a transparent and accountable manner.
- Provide support to political parties and candidates to enable them to effectively use social media to engage with young voters and communicate their policies and platforms.
- Foster greater collaboration between political actors and civil society organizations to leverage the power of social media for positive social and political change.
- Ensure that social media platforms and tools are accessible to all, regardless of income level, gender, or location, to create an inclusive digital democracy.
- Continue to research the role of social media in youth political engagement and participation in Nigeria, to inform evidence-based policy interventions and support the development of effective social media strategies for political engagement.
Implication of the Study
The implications of this study on the role of social media in shaping political discourse and engagement among Nigerian youths are significant. The findings suggest that social media has the potential to transform the way politics is conducted in Nigeria, facilitating greater political participation and civic engagement among young people. By enabling individuals to express their political views, engage in discussions with others, and participate in political activities from the comfort of their own homes, social media has made it easier for young people to become involved in the democratic process.
This has important implications for political actors and policymakers in Nigeria, who must recognize the power of social media as a tool for political engagement and work to ensure that it is used in ways that are beneficial to society as a whole. Political parties and candidates must adapt to this new reality and develop effective social media strategies to engage with young voters and communicate their policies and platforms. Civil society organizations and media outlets must also adapt to the changing media landscape and use social media to enhance their advocacy and outreach efforts.
Furthermore, the implications of this study go beyond Nigeria and have relevance for other countries in the region and around the world, where social media is increasingly being used for political engagement and activism. As such, the findings of this study have important implications for the future of democracy and political participation, both in Nigeria and globally.
Suggestions for Further Studies
Further studies could investigate the impact of social media on political polarization, the effectiveness of social media in promoting issue-based campaigns, the influence of social media on voting behaviour, and the relationship between social media use and offline political engagement among Nigerian youths.
References
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