Navigating Digital Democracy: Exploring Young Women’S Political Engagement and Media Literacy on Facebook

Abstract

Facebook is a key referral source for consumers seeking political information on niche political sites. It creates a scene, especially among young audiences, that affects political engagement and communication. This study examines the experiences, attitudes, and barriers of young women as they negotiate political knowledge and engagement on Facebook. This study investigates the experiences, motivations, and impact of young women's political information activities on Facebook in the context of media literacy. The researchers employed a qualitative approach, conducting in-depth interviews with young women (18 to 30 years old) to explore how they engage with political material. The study's application is based on the Theory of Cognitive Media Literacy by W. James Potter. However, young women selectively consume political content on Facebook based on trust, relevance, and social influence. Members consciously try to avoid emotional fatigue, misinformation, and disinformation; this selective intake builds political awareness and sometimes stimulates political activity. The findings suggest that young women selectively consume political content on Facebook by relying on trust, relevance, and social influence. This selective intake, however, is related to political awareness and sometimes political activity, though members deliberately try to avoid emotional fatigue, misinformation, and disinformation. This research provides new insights into digital political participation and suggests ways to increase young women's participation, thereby contributing to a more conscious and active democracy.