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The Use of Social Media on Political Participation Among University Students: An Analysis of Survey Results From Rural Pakistan

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  • Taufiq Ahmad
  • Aima Alvi
  • Muhammad Ittefaq

Abstract

Over the last decade, extensive literature has been published regarding social media effects on real-life political participation. Many argue that social media stimulates online and offline political participation. This study investigates how online political activities impact political efficacy and real-life political participation among university students in rural Pakistan. In addition, this study also sheds light on the relationship between political activities and political awareness. We conducted an online survey of ( N = 200) male and female undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Narowal, Pakistan. We used Qualtrics software to distribute our survey among students for data-collection purposes. The results reveal that the majority of the students use social media for political awareness and information. Political efficacy is significantly based on online political participation. In addition to that, social media is a vital platform for netizens to participate in real-life political activities. In conclusion, the findings of the study suggest that online political activities strongly correlate to political awareness and offline political participation. In rural areas of Pakistan, the younger generations are very active on social media to participate in online and offline political happenings.

Suggested Citation

  • Taufiq Ahmad & Aima Alvi & Muhammad Ittefaq, 2019. "The Use of Social Media on Political Participation Among University Students: An Analysis of Survey Results From Rural Pakistan," SAGE Open, , vol. 9(3), pages 21582440198, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:9:y:2019:i:3:p:2158244019864484
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244019864484
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Savvas Papagiannidis & Danae Manika, 2016. "Political Participation and Engagement via Different Online and Offline Channels," International Journal of E-Business Research (IJEBR), IGI Global, vol. 12(4), pages 1-22, October.
    2. Niemi, Richard G. & Craig, Stephen C. & Mattei, Franco, 1991. "Measuring Internal Political Efficacy in the 1988 National Election Study," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 85(4), pages 1407-1413, December.
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    1. Al-Hussein, Khalid, 2020. "The use of social media and perceptions of corruption within the Jordanian political elite," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    2. Drina Intyaswati & Eni Maryani & Dadang Sugiana & Anter Venus, 2021. "Social Media as an Information Source of Political Learning in Online Education," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(2), pages 21582440211, June.
    3. Rehan Tariq & Izzal Asnira Zolkepli & Mahyuddin Ahmad, 2022. "Political Participation of Young Voters: Tracing Direct and Indirect Effects of Social Media and Political Orientations," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-21, February.
    4. Abdul Waheed & Qingyu Zhang & Muhammad Farrukh & Sher Zaman Khan, 2021. "Effect of Mobile Social Apps on Consumer’s Purchase Attitude: Role of Trust and Technological Factors in Developing Nations," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(2), pages 21582440211, April.
    5. Zagidullin, Marat & Aziz, Nergis & Kozhakhmet, Sanat, 2021. "Government policies and attitudes to social media use among users in Turkey: The role of awareness of policies, political involvement, online trust, and party identification," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    6. Ming-Hung Wang & Nhut-Lam Nguyen & Shih-chan Dai & Po-Wen Chi & Chyi-Ren Dow, 2020. "Understanding Potential Cyber-Armies in Elections: A Study of Taiwan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-18, March.

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