Use of Social Media in Platforms for Political Campaign Messages and Voters’ Mobilization Among Youths in Enugu State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT
This study use of social media platform for political campaign messages and voters mobilization among youth in South East Nigeria and it is anchored on the role of social media as a transformative tool in political communication and youth engagement. It explores how social media platforms are utilized for disseminating political campaign messages and mobilizing voters, particularly among youths in Southeast Nigeria. It was anchored using technology determinism theory and uses and gratification theory which played a significant role in analyzing social, cultural and political change and individual specific needs. This study employed the survey research design because it well suited for getting responses through the research questions with the aim of achieving the objectives of this study. The sampling and bowleys technique was used while trying to get the sample size the sample size was determined using survey with the help of the online Australian calculator and was distributed to individuals online. Data was gotten with the 100% return rate of 385 and it was discovered that the level of awareness the South East has on social media campaign messages and voters mobilization is high and they tend to see messages regarding politics daily and has influenced them, it was also discovered that they face certain challenges with when engaging with political campaign messages. The recommendations suggested from this study to best help the South East youth in coming time are; ensuring that they prioritize issues relevant to the youth such as education etc., and ensure government help to stop misinformation and hate speech on social media platform.