| Abstract: |
The increasing use of social media among youths has transformed
the landscape of political communication, particularly in developing
democracies such as Nigeria. This study examines the relationship
between social media usage and political awareness among youths
in Nigeria, with specific attention to usage frequency, platform
dynamics, and youths' understanding of political information.
Adopting a qualitative desktop research design, the study relies on
secondary data drawn from scholarly journal articles, books, and
credible policy reports related to social media, political
communication, and youth political socialisation. Political
Socialisation Theory provides the theoretical lens for understanding
how social media functions as a contemporary agent through which
youths acquire political knowledge and awareness. The study is
significant in shifting analytical focus from political participation to
political awareness as a distinct outcome of social media
engagement. By synthesising existing literature, the paper
contributes to on-going debates on digital political communication
and offers conceptual insights relevant to scholars, policymakers,
and stakeholders interested in strengthening informed political
awareness and democratic culture among Nigerian youths. |
