Assessing the Impact of Mobile Social Media on Civic Engagement Dynamics

Thesis Abstract

The rapid proliferation of mobile social media platforms has fundamentally transformed avenues for civic participation, yet its precise impact on civic engagement dynamics remains underexplored within contemporary communication studies. This research investigates the extent to which mobile social media influences civic engagement among urban youth populations, aiming to elucidate mechanisms through which these digital platforms facilitate or hinder active civic participation. The primary objectives include assessing the relationship between mobile social media usage patterns and civic participation levels, identifying motivational factors driving mobile-based civic activities, and examining demographic variables that moderate these relationships. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews to capture both the breadth and depth of mobile social media's influence on civic engagement. The target population comprises registered voters aged 18-35 residing within Metropolitan City X. A stratified random sampling technique is used to select a representative sample of 600 respondents for the survey, while 30 in-depth interviews are conducted with purposively selected active civic participants. Quantitative data is analysed through multiple regression analysis, allowing for the investigation of predictive relationships between mobile social media engagement and civic activity levels while controlling for demographic factors. Qualitative data are thematically analysed using NVivo software to extract nuanced insights into participant motivations and perceptions. The expected findings suggest a statistically significant positive correlation between frequent mobile social media use and increased civic engagement, particularly in areas such as political awareness, activism, and community organizing. It is anticipated that social media platforms like Twitter and WhatsApp serve as effective channels for information dissemination and mobilization, fostering a sense of collective efficacy among youth. The study also foresees the identification of key demographic moderators, such as education level, socio-economic status, and digital literacy, that influence the strength of this relationship. Furthermore, qualitative insights are expected to reveal themes of empowerment, social connectivity, and perceived influence of digital activism on real-world civic outcomes. The contribution of this study advances theoretical understandings by applying and extending the Knowledge Gap Hypothesis and the Participatory Culture framework within the context of mobile social media. It provides empirical evidence linking mobile digital platforms to civic engagement behaviors, thereby filling critical gaps in existing literature which predominantly focus on traditional media or social media in general without emphasizing mobile-specific dynamics. The findings offer policymakers, civil society organizations, and communication practitioners targeted insights into harnessing mobile social media for civic education, participation, and social change initiatives. Concluding, the research underscores the potential of mobile social media as a democratizing force in civic participation, yet highlights underlying disparities rooted in digital access and literacy. The study recommends enhancing digital literacy programs, promoting inclusive platform designs, and fostering strategic collaborations between government agencies and social media providers to optimize civic engagement outcomes. Future research is suggested to explore longitudinal effects and the impact of emerging mobile platforms on various dimensions of civic participation. Overall, this thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of the digital transformation of civic engagement processes and offers practical pathways for leveraging mobile social media to strengthen democratic participation in contemporary societies.