Social and political engagement of university students in the digital sphere: Social network uses for citizen participation

Abstract

This research, which focuses on some aspects that link the digital life of university students and their civic, political and social involvement, aims to determine the level of engagement of young people in association-related actions or institutions through digital networks. Additionally, this paper attempts to specify the relationship between the level of social/political participation of this sector of the population and the interest of its members in the social media profiles of civically engaged subjects or organizations. It also looks at differences in access and interactivity in profiles with social and/or participatory interest between young people with some degree of civic commitment and those who are not involved any associations. While the data obtained through a convenience sample support, once again, youth disaffection towards institutionalized politics, the high intensity of digital access among all young people is confirmed, which a priori increases the possibilities of making civil society stronger. However, the intensive use of social networks by young people is not positively associated with a greater degree of civic involvement. Finally, it is observed that young people prefer to consume content rather than to produce it.

Keywords

• youth
• social networks
• civic engagement
• citizenship