Social Media, Political Awareness, and Civic Responsibility Among Youth

Social media has become a major channel through which youth access information, develop political awareness, and engage with civic issues. This study examines how social media influences political knowledge, critical thinking, and civic responsibility among young individuals in the Rangpur Division of Bangladesh. Using a structured questionnaire that included demographic items, Likert-scale statements, and open-ended questions, the survey assessed patterns of social media use, perceptions of political content, and attitudes toward democratic participation. The findings show that most respondents rely on platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok for political updates, which has contributed to improved awareness of national issues and government policies. However, youth also reported exposure to widespread misinformation and expressed concern about exaggerated or distorted political content. While many believed they could identify unreliable information, fewer consistently verified content before sharing. Social media further encouraged civic responsibility by promoting discussions about public issues and reinforcing the importance of voting and community engagement. Overall, the results suggest that social media plays a significant role in shaping political understanding and civic attitudes among youth in Rangpur Division, highlighting the need for strengthened digital literacy and responsible online behavior to support informed and active citizenship.