The Role of Youth and Social Media in Indian Elections

In the world’s largest democracy, India, the increasing involvement of youth and the explosive rise of social media platforms have significantly reshaped the electoral landscape. With over 65% of the population under the age of 35, the youth constitute a powerful electoral force. Their active participation, both as voters and opinion-makers, has changed how political narratives are formed, disseminated, and challenged. Simultaneously, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube have emerged as key arenas for political engagement, campaigning, and citizen awareness, often bypassing traditional media gatekeeping. Historically, Indian youth were seen as passive participants in elections, more involved in protests and street politics than at the ballot box. However, this trend has changed, especially after 2014. The rise in first-time voters and their visibility in political discussions indicate a shift from political apathy to digital activism. Youth today are not only consuming political content but actively producing it—through blogs, Instagram reels, YouTube videos, and Twitter threads. This democratization of information empowers them to raise issues like employment, education, climate change, and gender justice—topics often sidelined in mainstream politics.