Navigating Political Socialization in the Social Media Era: Insights from Pakistani Youth

The rise of social media has transformed the way young people engage with politics, influencing their beliefs, attitudes, and participation in civic life (Loader, Vromen, & Xenos, 2014; Bennett, 2012). In Pakistan, where traditional political institutions face significant challenges, social media has become a critical space for political socialization. This study explores how 150 undergraduate students at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad navigate political socialization in the social media era, using proportionate stratified sampling to capture perspectives across gender and academic disciplines.

Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, offering an in-depth understanding of how students form their political identities, engage with political content online, and respond to the rapidly polarizing political landscape in Pakistan. The study reveals that social media serves as a dual-edged sword: on one hand, it enhances political awareness and engagement by exposing youth to diverse political perspectives; on the other hand, it contributes to political polarization, misinformation, and the spread of extreme viewpoints. The highly polarized Pakistani political discourse, exploited through social media, exacerbates divisions, especially along party and ideological lines is resulting in political violence which is evident from the recent incidences.

Findings indicate that while social media plays a crucial role in political socialization, it also fosters and deepens the political divides. Students frequently reported encountering politically biased content regularly which is mostly based on extremist ideas. Despite these challenges, many participants expressed a desire for more balanced and fact-based political discussions online.

In conclusion, the study calls for targeted digital literacy programs that equip young people with the skills to critically assess political content on social media. Policymakers and educators should focus on promoting healthy political discourse and mitigating the negative effects of polarization. Future research should explore the long-term impact of social media-driven political polarization on democratic engagement in Pakistan.