The Impact of Social Media Disinformation on Youth Political Engagement

Thesis Abstract

The pervasive spread of social media has significantly transformed political communication, yet the proliferation of disinformation on these platforms poses a complex challenge to youth political engagement. This study investigates the extent to which social media disinformation influences political attitudes and participation among youth aged 18 to 30 in urban settings, addressing a critical gap in understanding the correlation between misinformation exposure and active political involvement. The primary aim is to determine whether exposure to disinformation diminishes, enhances, or alters youth political engagement and to identify the underlying psychological and social mechanisms mediating this relationship. To achieve this, the research formulates specific objectives (1) to measure the extent of social media disinformation exposure among youth; (2) to assess levels of political engagement within this demographic; (3) to explore the perceived credibility of social media information; and (4) to analyze the influence of disinformation on political attitudes and behaviors. The study employs a mixed-methods research design comprising quantitative surveys and qualitative focus group discussions. A stratified random sampling technique is utilized to select a sample size of 500 youth participants from five major urban centers, ensuring demographic representativeness across age, gender, and educational levels. Quantitative data are collected through structured questionnaires measuring exposure to disinformation, political engagement, and trust in social media sources, with validated scales adapted from prior studies. Qualitative insights are gathered via six focus groups, each consisting of 8-10 participants, to deepen understanding of personal perceptions and attitudes toward disinformation and political engagement. Data analysis involves descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression to test hypotheses regarding the relationship between disinformation exposure and political participation. Thematic analysis is applied to focus group transcripts to identify recurring patterns and contextual factors influencing youth responses. Expected findings suggest a nuanced relationship while exposure to disinformation may result in increased political skepticism and disengagement among some youth, it could also mobilize others toward activism, particularly in contexts where disinformation reinforces political grievances. The study anticipates identifying key mediating factors, such as media literacy levels, political efficacy, and social network influence, which shape the impact of disinformation on political behaviors. These findings are expected to contribute new empirical evidence to ongoing debates about the role of misinformation in democratic participation, expanding the theoretical understanding grounded in the Agenda-Setting Theory and the Third-Person Effect. The research advances knowledge by providing an evidence-based analysis of the relationship between disinformation and youth political engagement, emphasizing the mediating role of psychological and social factors. It offers practical insights for policymakers, educators, and social media platforms to develop targeted interventions—such as media literacy programs and platform accountability measures—that mitigate negative effects of disinformation while fostering genuine political participation among youth. The main conclusion underscores the importance of enhancing critical information processing skills among youth and strengthening institutional trust to counteract disinformation's adverse effects. Recommendations include implementing comprehensive media literacy curricula in educational institutions, promoting transparent platform algorithms, and encouraging youth-led fact-checking initiatives. Future research avenues suggested involve longitudinal studies to assess causal impacts over time and cross-cultural comparisons to explore contextual differences in the disinformation-politics nexus. This study aims to provide a robust analytical framework for understanding and addressing the complex influence of social media disinformation on the political engagement of young citizens in contemporary democracies.