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A narrowing digital divide: the impact of the Internet on youth political participation

the impact of the Internet on youth political participation

Maya Forrester
University of Central Florida
Jonathan Matusitz
University of Central Florida
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A narrowing digital divide: the impact of the Internet on youth political participation. (2022). Communicare: Journal for Communication Studies in Africa, 29(2), 85-98. https://doi.org/10.36615/jcsa.v29i2.1685
  • Articles
  • Submited: October 16, 2022
  • Published: October 17, 2022

Abstract

This paper analyses the effectiveness of the Internet as a tool for civic engagement among
youth during the 2000, 2004, and 2008 US presidential elections. In this context, youth can be
understood as the segment of the electorate comprised of individuals between the ages of 18 and
25 years. The authors apply concepts of the digital divide to address, hypothetically, the question
of whether the Internet is the cure-all for political malaise among youth. As such, without the
digital divide, would the Internet be able to resolve the issue of low political involvement among
youth? This analysis concludes that the impact of the Internet on youth political participation
has been demonstrated to be successful. The Internet has not only become a revolutionary and
promising political communication medium and campaign tool, it is also a bulwark of democracy.

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How to Cite
A narrowing digital divide: the impact of the Internet on youth political participation. (2022). Communicare: Journal for Communication Studies in Africa, 29(2), 85-98. https://doi.org/10.36615/jcsa.v29i2.1685

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