Instagram and Youth Political Participation in the 2023 Bayelsa State Governorship Election
Abstract
This study examined Instagram and youth political participation in the 2023 Bayelsa State governorship election. The study was motivated by the need to establish how young people’s use of Instagram for political information, online discussions and campaign engagement related to their participation in the electoral process. Three objectives guided the study: to examine the use of Instagram for political information among youths, determine the influence of Instagram political discussions on youth political participation, and assess the relationship between Instagram campaign engagement and youth electoral participation. The study adopted the interpretivist paradigm and a qualitative research design. The population comprised young people aged 18 to 35 years who resided in Bayelsa State during the election and used Instagram for election-related activities. Eighteen participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically using an explanation-building technique. The Civic Voluntarism Model provided the theoretical framework for interpreting the relationship between political information, motivation, mobilisation and participation. The study revealed that on how Instagram facilitated access to electoral information, enabled political expression and discussion, and provided opportunities for campaign engagement and voter mobilisation. The study concluded that Instagram offers opportunities to strengthen youth political awareness, political dialogue and electoral mobilisation, although online interactions do not automatically translate into actual electoral participation. The study recommended that the Independent National Electoral Commission, educational institutions, the National Orientation Agency and youth organisations strengthen digital voter education, promote respectful political discussions and connect online campaign engagement with informed, peaceful and lawful electoral participation.
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