The SOCIAL MEDIA’S ROLE IN YOUTH POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE GAMBIA

Investigates the role of social media in fostering political engagement among teens within the Gambia

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of social media in fostering political engagement among teens within the Gambia through a systematic literature overview method. The look is pushed with the aid of the increasing reliance of Gambian teens on digital platforms such as FB, WhatsApp, Twitter, and TikTok to access political content, collaborate in discussions, and mobilize civic movements. As net penetration deepens in the country, social media is reworking conventional political participation by permitting instantaneous verbal exchange, diverse viewpoints, and real-time political mobilization. Drawing on academic articles, coverage papers, and local media reviews, this research synthesizes findings from over 30 scholarly resources published between 2015 and 2024. The evaluation highlights how virtual activism, influencer engagement, and peer-to-peer verbal exchange have redefined young people's participation in political strategies. Similarly, it identifies barriers inclusive of digital literacy gaps, incorrect information, and net-get entry to disparities that assign the efficacy of social media as a political tool. The findings screen that at the same time as social media serves as a gateway for youth engagement, its effectiveness is mediated by way of socio-political context, regulatory frameworks, and online content moderation. The look contributes extensively to existing literature with the aid of supplying a targeted examination of The Gambia’s evolving digital panorama and the political consciousness of its children. It offers pointers for policymakers and civil society actors aiming to leverage digital structures to bolster democratic participation amongst younger residents.