Strengthening Youth Civic Engagement through Social Media in Tunisia
Keywords:
civic engagement, social media, youth participation, Tunisia, digital democracy, political mobilizationAbstract
This study examines the role of social media in strengthening youth civic engagement in Tunisia following the Arab Spring revolution. Tunisia's democratic transition has created unique opportunities for young citizens to participate in political discourse through digital platforms. This research explores how Tunisian youth utilize social media tools including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to engage in civic activities, political mobilization, and democratic participation. Through a mixed-methods approach combining surveys and interviews with 450 young Tunisians aged 18-35, the study reveals that social media significantly enhances political awareness, facilitates collective action, and enables direct communication with political representatives. However, challenges including misinformation, digital divides, and governmental surveillance persist. The findings demonstrate that while social media platforms have democratized civic participation, sustainable engagement requires addressing structural barriers and promoting digital literacy among Tunisian youth.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Nour Ben Ali, Sami Khelifi (Author)
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