Modeling Youth Political Socialization in the Digital Age: Evidence from Hazara Division, Pakistan

Abstract

Aim of the Study: The current study explores social media as a new arena of political socialisation among the university and college-going youth in Hazara Division of KP, Pakistan.

Methodology: It builds on Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) and Social Engagement Theory (SET) by conceptualising digital political socialisation as a multi-faceted process that includes exposure, awareness, information evaluation, trust, knowledge, discussion, engagement and participation. The data from 400 respondents aged between 18 to 35 years old were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, independent-samples t-test, one-way ANOVA and multiple regression.

Findings: Over half reported that they used social media for over 4 hours a day. Overall the regression model accounted for 48% of the variance in political socialization (R² = .48, p < .001), and social-media use, political trust and political awareness were significant predictors. There were some differences between men and women in political awareness and discussion and also differences between age groups with regard to awareness. Trust in online political information was moderate, but verification was comparatively strong. Social media then is an important part, but not the sole part of a mixed political-socialization context.

Conclusion: The political socialization of young people in digital times is digital, interactive, and hybrid. Social media plays a role in political learning in Hazara Division, but is not the source of learning for family, education, peers or traditional media. Social media needs to be viewed in the context of a new environment where exposure, awareness, evaluation, trust, knowledge, discussion, engagement and participation interact and not as a direct cause of political behavior. These processes should be further tested in future with longitudinal and structural models.