SOCIAL MEDIA AND POLITICAL AWAKENING OF THE NEW GENERATION IN THAILAND

Abstract

Objectives of this academic article aimed to examine and explain the role of social media in shaping the political awareness of the younger generation in Thailand by emphasizing the relationship between social media usage and the level of political engagement, explaining patterns of political participation through digital platforms, and evaluating both the positive and negative impacts of social media on political development in Thai society. The findings indicated that social media functions as a new public sphere that facilitates rapid and diverse access to political information, leading young people to increasingly learn, question, analyze, and express opinions on public issues across various topics. Moreover, the use of social media is positively associated with levels of political awareness and participation, particularly in new forms such as following news, sharing political information, expressing political opinions, using hashtags in political issues, and participating in online campaigns, reflecting emerging forms of collective action within digital networks. However, significant challenges remain, including the spread of fake news, misinformation, and increasing ideological polarization, which may influence the political attitudes and behaviors of the younger generation.