The role of social media in shaping youth identity challenges and opportunities

This study aims to examine the role of social media in shaping youth identity by analyzing the relationship between social media usage and both social and political identity, with a particular focus on the challenges and opportunities these platforms present. The research employed a quantitative methodology supported by statistically reliable tools. The overall reliability coefficient reached 80.9%, while the validity coefficient was 90%, both of which are considered scientifically acceptable and allow for the generalization of findings to the broader study population. The results indicated that the highest reliability was observed in the variable “interaction with followers,” at 91.3%, whereas “advertising campaigns” recorded the lowest reliability at 74.6%. Additionally, the data did not follow a normal distribution, necessitating the use of non-parametric tests to ensure the accuracy and validity of the analysis. The study sample consisted of 380 young leaders, the majority of whom were male, aged between 25 and 45 years. The findings revealed a significant impact of social media on shaping both the social and political identities of youth. The results further emphasized the direct relationship between social media engagement and the development of a sense of belonging and identity. Key recommendations include guiding social media use in ways that support national identity and foster a sense of belonging among young people. It highlights the importance of designing awareness programs that build critical thinking skills in users regarding the content they encounter on these platforms. Furthermore, the study encourages more in-depth future research to explore digital media usage's psychological and social effects. It also calls for greater involvement from relevant authorities to support meaningful content that contributes to the development of a positive and stable youth identity.