ABSTRACT
Social media has emerged as a powerful tool for political engagement, particularly among university students who actively participate in online discussions and digital activism. This study examines the impact of social media on students’ political participation at the University of Benin, focusing on Student Union Government (SUG) elections from 2021 to 2024. Specifically, it explores how social media influences political awareness, voter behaviour, and student mobilisation while also identifying the challenges associated with using social media as a political platform. A qualitative research approach was employed, utilising Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with students from various faculties and academic levels. Participants provided insights into how social media platforms—such as X, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram—shape their political perceptions, engagement strategies, and voting decisions. The study also examined students’ experiences with online political discourse, the spread of misinformation, and the role of social media platforms in regulating political content. Findings reveal that social media significantly enhances political awareness and voter participation, serving as a primary source of political information and campaign mobilisation for student elections. However, challenges such as misinformation, online toxicity, and echo chambers hinder meaningful political engagement. While some participants support content regulation to curb misinformation and cyberbullying, others express concerns about potential censorship and bias. The study concludes that social media plays a vital role in student political participation but requires mechanisms to promote media literacy, fact-checking, and respectful discourse. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of digital political engagement in university settings and offer recommendations for fostering informed and responsible online political participation among students.
