Published on: January 2026
IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON POLITICAL AWARENESS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AMONG INDIAN YOUTH
Nandita A. Gokhale Prakash V. Patil
Dr. Kavita R. Deshpande
Saraswati College of Arts and Humanities
Article Status
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Abstract
The rapid expansion of social media has transformed the political landscape across the globe. In India, this shift is particularly pronounced among the youth, who comprise a significant proportion of the population and are avid users of digital platforms. This research investigates the impact of social media on political awareness and civic engagement among Indian youth, focusing on patterns of social media consumption, the nature of political information encountered online, and how these behaviors translate into real-world civic participation. Through a mixed-methods approach involving surveys, interviews, and case studies, the study explores how platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp function as channels for political communication, mobilization, and debate. Results indicate that social media plays a dual role: while it enhances political knowledge and facilitates mobilization, it also introduces challenges such as misinformation, echo chambers, and polarization. The study contributes to understanding the sociopolitical dynamics of digital youth engagement and proposes recommendations for leveraging social media to foster positive democratic participation.
However, the prevalence of misinformation and algorithm-driven content curation can distort political perceptions and reinforce existing biases. This duality underscores the need for critical digital literacy among youth to navigate complex online environments effectively. The study further examines strategies to mitigate these challenges while maximizing the democratic potential of social media platforms.
How to Cite this Paper
Gokhale, N. A. & Patil, P. V. (2026). Impact of Social Media on Political Awareness and Civic Engagement Among Indian Youth. International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, <i>02</i>(01), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i1.007
Gokhale, Nandita, and Prakash Patil. "Impact of Social Media on Political Awareness and Civic Engagement Among Indian Youth." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, vol. 02, no. 01, 2026, pp. 1-9. doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i1.007.
Gokhale, Nandita, and Prakash Patil. "Impact of Social Media on Political Awareness and Civic Engagement Among Indian Youth." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management 02, no. 01 (2026): 1-9. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i1.007.
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- •Published on: Jan 28 2026
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