YouTube Usage and Political Socialization among Youth in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Young people use YouTube for communication, information and entertainment and it also plays a significant part in expanding their political approaches, knowledge and socialization. This research study evaluates the YouTube’s role in giving information related to politics and influencing political opinions and Youth’s Political socialization in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The Uses and Gratification Theory (UGT) is applied on this research study as its theoretical framework.  For the data gathering, a quantitative survey technique was implemented with a structured questionnaire as the key research tool. The target pollution comprised of the students registered in numerous universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A total of 525 survey respondents were chosen using convenience sampling method. The requisite number of participants was calculated with the help of Cochran's formula. Total, 501 survey members completed the questionnaire and returned it. The results indicates that the highest number of youngsters agreed that Political parties and their leaders use YouTube in KP. Most of the survey members shown disagreement that the use of YouTube affects voters’ turnout. Nearly all the participants believed that YouTube has supported the linking between voters and parties. The outcomes show that YouTube inspire everybody to join political parties.