Between clicks and convictions : youth political participation on facebook in Indonesia and Pakistan

Abstract

Social media has emerged as a pivotal arena for youth political participation, particularly within Muslim-majority societies where access to formal civic channels is often constrained. Despite growing interest in digital political engagement, comparative research remains limited in addressing how socio-cultural and political variables mediate online participation. This study investigates how Muslim youth in Indonesia and Pakistan utilize Facebook to articulate political ideologies, engage in civic discourse, and mobilize collective action. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study draws on both quantitative and qualitative data collected through an online survey administered to 30 purposively selected respondents (15 from each country), comprising Master's and PhD students active in digital political discussions. The survey incorporated both closed-ended items and openended questions to capture measurable patterns and nuanced perspectives. The researchers applied thematic and descriptive analyses to interpret trends and narratives emerging from the data. The findings reveal contrasting modes of engagement: Indonesian youth predominantly exhibit issue-oriented, personalized political expression, while the Pakistani youth counterparts demonstrate more ideologically aligned, affectively polarized participation linked to partisan narratives. The implication of these findings is that both policy design and theoretical models of youth political participation must account for cultural and structural specificities, as context-sensitive approaches are essential for effectively understanding and fostering civic engagement in diverse Muslim-majority societies.