Relationship between Facebook usage and youth political participation: a Sub-Saharan African context

Lahabou , Mahaman and Wok, Saodah (2011) Relationship between Facebook usage and youth political participation: a Sub-Saharan African context. In: International Conference on Media and Communication (MENTION 2011), 11-12 October 2011, Equatorial Hotel, Bangi. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Facebook has become one of the most popular social network sites among the youth. This social network site is intensively used on a daily basis by young people throughout the world. This study investigates the relationship between Facebook usage and youth political participation in a sub-Saharan African country (Niger). Facebook usage includes length of time on Facebook, frequency of usage, time spent daily, and number of Facebook friends. Political participation comprises political activity, political knowledge, and interest in politics. We employed Internet survey to gather data from young Nigeriens (N=139) living both inside and outside Niger. The findings indicate that intensity of Facebook use is positively related to both political activity and interest in politics but negatively related to political knowledge. There is also moderate and positive association between intensity of Facebook political groups use and political participation.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Full Paper)
Additional Information:	2899/15078
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Facebook, youth political participation, social network, sub-Saharan Africa, Niger
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) > H61.8 Communication of information H Social Sciences > HE Transportation and Communications > HE7601 Telecommunication and industry. Telegraph L Education > LG Individual institutions (Asia. Africa)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Communication
Depositing User:	Prof. Dr. Saodah Wok
Date Deposited:	10 Feb 2012 15:06
Last Modified:	17 Oct 2012 15:24
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/15078

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