The Impact of Digital Media Literacy on Youth Civic Participation

  • Authors

    • Fatima Noor Associate Professor, University of Malaya, Malaysia Author
    • Siti Rahman Associate Professor, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia Author

    DOI:

    https://doi.org/10.67228/30715636/IJETMR-2018PII3X4K

    Published 10-04-2018

  • Digital Media Literacy, Youth Engagement, Civic Participation, Social Media, Information Literacy, Digital Citizenship, Online Activism

    Issue

    Section

    Articles

    How to Cite

    [1]
    F. Noor and S. Rahman, “The Impact of Digital Media Literacy on Youth Civic Participation”, IJETMR, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 01–11, Oct. 2018, doi: 10.67228/30715636/IJETMR-2018PII3X4K.
  • Abstract

    Digital media literacy is a vital skill in today’s information society, shaping how young people access, evaluate, and engage with digital content. It plays a key role in influencing civic engagement, including political participation, social activism, and community involvement. This paper explores how skills such as content analysis, information verification, and online communication contribute to active citizenship among youth.With the rise of social media and digital platforms, young people have shifted from passive consumers to active creators and participants. However, the quality of their civic engagement depends largely on their level of digital literacy. Individuals with strong media literacy are better equipped to critically assess information, resist misinformation, and participate constructively in civic processes.The study uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the relationship between digital literacy and civic behavior. It identifies key dimensions such as technical skills, critical thinking, ethical awareness, and participatory communication, and evaluates their impact on various forms of civic engagement.Findings show a strong positive relationship between digital media literacy and civic participation, both online and offline. However, challenges like the digital divide, misinformation, and algorithmic bias can limit effective engagement. The paper concludes that promoting digital literacy through education and policy can empower youth, strengthen democratic participation, and foster more informed and responsible citizenship

  • References

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