The Role of Social Media in Youth Participation in Political Governance: A Case Study of Africa University Students

Abstract

The objective of this study was to find out whether participatory governance can be reflected through social media. This was established through gauging whether a given set of participatory governance principles are replicated in social media. Social media has been used by many users across the world but has not been adequately explored in terms of how it contributes to enhancing participatory governance in a country. The study was informed by Media Theory and Citizen Participation Theory. The Media Theory reveals how the media is supposed to play a role in democratizing society whilst the citizen participation theory shows the duties and contribution of citizens to societal development. These combined theories provided a comprehensive framework to assess the contribution of social media by specifically looking at the ability to allow citizens to contribute ideas, ability to engage leaders in deliberations and ability to influence policy. It was found out that many students feel that in spite of citizens using social media to contribute to governance, leaders do not take heed of contributions that are made online and that states are often repressive of vocal personalities online. To this effect, many students opt to use pseudonyms and do not give real personal details when contributing to issues of corruption, human rights and elections. The study revealed that there is a need for states to incorporate social media as a means of gauging public opinion on issues of national interest so that citizens’ support decisions that are made. The researcher then recommended a social media strategy that will see social media being incorporated in basic service delivery as a means of engaging citizens and this can be developed by states working with civil society and governance stakeholders such as the private sector.