Influence of Social Media on Political Activism: A critical Review
Author(s): Dr Sasmita Bargah
Authors Affiliations:
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Sciences, Govt. J.M.P. College, Takhatpur Bilaspur, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Viashwavidyalaya, Bilaspur Chhattisgarh-495009.
DOIs:10.2018/SS/202608012     |     Paper ID: SS202608012This study examines how social media have accelerated the political activism especially the political campaigning, voting, mobilizing masses and political advertising. A desk review including qualitative approach was followed to conduct this study. The analysis reveals that social media platforms such as Face book and Twitter amplify civic engagement in a political system by facilitating swift information diffusion and coordinated collective actions. The social media has accelerated the political activism. The findings reveal that in the current era the political campaigning is increasingly data driven, leveraging real-time analytics to target specific voter segments and shape public discourse in a less time. This review found that previous studies show that social media influences voting by increasing voter turnout through peer pressure and thus enhanced the political activism. Social media plays a role in organizing protests, by spreading information, coordinating actions, and mobilizing large groups, which directly has increased the speed and reach of public issues within a political system. In democratic countries like India, social media have become pivotal catalysts that democratize participation by enabling rapid mobilization and widespread dissemination of political messages. Further studies are required to assess the effectiveness of digital campaigning on political activism through voter behavior and policy formulation. This study also stress on identifying the major challenges faced by the social media in enhancing the political activism.
Dr Sasmita Bargah (2026); Influence of Social Media on Political Activism: A critical Review, Shikshan Sanshodhan : Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, ISSN(o): 2581-6241, Volume – 9, Issue – 8, Available on – https://shikshansanshodhan.researchculturesociety.org/
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