Third International Conference on Communication & Media Studies

Abstract

With the emergence of new media, the trends of contemporary politics has changed across the world. In South Asian countries especially Pakistan where online media has worked as a hot actor in creating political efficacy among young generations. Youth has mobilized through the social media platforms and taking part in real political activities. Online political activism among youth is very common with their heavy use of social networking sites in the form of liking and sharing the political content, following Politicians, commenting on various political pages, uploading status regarding daily politics. This study investigates that how different Online Political Activities effects on Political Efficacy and Real Participation among the youth. The primary objective of the study was to investigate the interest of youth in political participation through online media. Moreover, this intended to find out the effects of online political activities on political efficacy and real political participation along with to check the relationship between political efficacy and political participation. In order to answer the underlying questions, data was collected by conducted survey research in various Public Sector universities of Pakistan. Findings of the study reveals that majority of the students use online forums and strongly support that effects of online political activities and political efficacy is significantly base on online political participation while, online media directly or indirectly providing a way to their users to participate in real political activities. It also highlighted that online political activities has a significant relationship with Political efficacy and Real participation.