Exploring the Link between the Use of Facebook and Political Participation among Youth in Pakistan

Abstract

Use of Facebook engages people in online debates. Online political participation becomes a precursor for offline political participation. The study aimed to explore the link between the use of Facebook and political participation among youths in Pakistan. Quantitative data gathered by means of online structured questionnaire was analyzed using the software statistical package for social sciences. Use of Facebook was measured with No. of Facebook accounts, duration of Facebook Account (in years), Time spent (hr) weekly on Facebook, total number of friends and close friends on Facebook while political participation was measured by knowing the ways of participating in online and offline political activities. Use of Facebook was independent variable and political participation was dependent variable. The study concluded that people youth shared more the policy of a particular party on their Facebook timeline than posting pictures about political issues on their profile page. There is a significant correlation was found between use of Facebook and political participation. Usage of Facebook by duration of usage of Facebook, average time spending on Facebook weekly, total numbers of friends on Facebook and close friends on Facebook may increase the political participation among youth and this political participation will lead to open and operation democratic process.