SOCIAL MEDIA AND POLITICAL POLARIZATION AMONG EDUCATED YOUTH IN ISLAMABAD

Abstract

This paper analyzed the political engagement of Pakistani millennial educated people living in Islamabad through social media as well as it investigated the connection between the political engagement and political awareness and engagement. A mixed-method design was also used and a purposively chosen sample of 150 university students was used and recruited with the help of Quaid-i-Azam University, COMSATS University, FAST University as well as the international Islamic university Islamabad. The presence of quantitative survey tools that obtained demographic data and self-reported social-media-based political engagement and open-ended survey items provided qualitative data which were complementary. The results indicate that social media serves as a focal point towards political engagement among youths, as an important medium of political expression, information exchange, and deliberation. The respondents also reported that the continuous use of the internet increased their awareness of politics and encouraged them to participate in meaningful political debates. The results showed that undergraduate or higher education contributed to political engagement as it increased political understanding; furthermore, stable employment was associated with reduced political polarization, again suggesting that one's socio-economic status, particularly employment status, affects one's political identity. In sum, the research provides insights into the roles of digital platforms, education, and employment in youth political engagement in Islamabad. The results raise the important need for initiatives to support balanced online communication, political media literacy, and accessible inclusive forms of civic engagement in the reality of Pakistan's digital society.