Social Media And Its Impact In Youth Participation In Politics | THE RUN UP

Summary

In a thought-provoking discussion on youth participation in politics, Mr. Demola emphasizes the rising awareness among young people driven by social media. He highlights the importance of registering to vote and engaging in the electoral process, despite challenges such as disenfranchisement and apathy. While political parties often overlook the potential of youth, Mr. Demola urges young individuals to learn from past generations and remain persistent in their advocacy. He advocates for a proactive approach, encouraging the youth to influence political narratives and become active participants in shaping their futures as the 2023 elections approach.

Takeaways

• 😀 Increased youth participation in politics is driven by higher awareness and information dissemination through social media.
• 💬 Young people are increasingly skeptical of traditional political narratives, which has led to a demystification of political claims made by older generations.
• 📱 Social media plays a crucial role in mobilizing youth, particularly in encouraging them to obtain their voter cards and participate in elections.
• ⚠️ Many youths express apathy and disillusionment with the political system, feeling that their votes do not matter due to perceived systemic corruption.
• 🏛️ Political parties often fail to adapt their strategies to engage young people, preferring to target less informed demographics during campaigns.
• 🔄 The conversation around youth politics is shifting, with young individuals increasingly seeking to influence electoral outcomes rather than simply voting.
• 💡 Mr. Demola advises youth to learn from older generations' mistakes and to avoid replicating negative behaviors they criticize.
• 🎭 The involvement of young figures in entertainment can positively influence political engagement among their peers.
• 🚀 There is optimism that young people will take on leadership roles and become candidates in future elections, fostering change in the political landscape.
• 📊 Awareness of electoral processes is crucial, and young people are encouraged to continue their activism beyond commemorative events like #EndSARS.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the discussion in the transcript?

The discussion primarily focuses on youth participation in politics, particularly leading up to the 2023 elections.

How has information dissemination changed for the youth according to Mr. Demola?

Mr. Demola notes that the level of information sharing has significantly increased, primarily through the internet, allowing youths to be more informed about political issues.

What role does social media play in youth political participation?

Social media is crucial for raising awareness, encouraging voter registration, and converting online discussions into real-world political participation.

What challenges do young people face in participating in elections?

Young people face challenges such as apathy, disenfranchisement, and difficulties in obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), which discourage them from voting.

What does Mr. Demola suggest about the relationship between poverty and political participation?

He suggests that poverty is being weaponized in Nigeria, impacting the willingness of older politicians to pass the baton to younger generations, thereby limiting youth involvement in politics.

What advice does Mr. Demola give to young people regarding their political engagement?

He advises youths to remain persistent and not give up, emphasizing the importance of learning from older generations' mistakes and planning to do better.

What was the outcome of the End SARS movement according to the discussion?

The End SARS movement is described as a test of the waters for youth engagement, which did not die but rather indicated that young people could mobilize around issues affecting them.

How are political parties responding to youth participation, according to Mr. Demola?

Political parties often utilize social media during campaigns but generally do not adapt their structures to include young people, opting instead to engage with less informed voters.

What does the speaker mean by the phrase 'learn from what the others are not doing well'?

This phrase suggests that young people should observe and understand the failures of older politicians to avoid repeating those mistakes and to create better strategies for political involvement.

What example does the discussion give about young candidates in politics?

The transcript mentions two young candidates for the federal House of Representatives, highlighting that youth representation is gradually increasing, despite some candidates coming from privileged backgrounds.