Social Media and Citizen Activism: Examining the Perception of Generation Z in Digital Protests

The rise of social media has significantly reshaped the landscape of citizen activism, transforming the way individuals engage with and participate in political movements. Be it the trend of “All Eyes on____” or changing profile pictures, Generation Z on Social Media actively shows what their opinions on National and International issues are. Oftentimes these opinions are clouded by the need to follow a trend and the pressure of social validation. The study explores how social media interacts with the youth bulge as an intervening variable in fostering political mobilization. Social media is not widely perceived by Indian youth as a revolutionary tool for mobilizing mass support. Instead, its role is more localized, facilitating small-scale, neighborhood-level activism. This article highlights how social media can serve as a powerful platform for gathering public opinion and generating grassroots pressure on governments. Furthermore, interviews with Generation Z shed light on their perceptions of participating in protests through social media. The study concludes that while social media may not always lead to large-scale revolutionary change, it remains an important instrument for citizen activism and public discourse, especially in organizing and amplifying localized movements and demands.