Social Media and Political Participation: Unpacking the Role of Social Media in Contemporary Politics

The rapid evolution of social media has transformed the landscape of contemporary politics and civil engagement. Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and WeChat, in addition to less censored platforms such as Redditt and Telegram, among others, have emerged as powerful tools for political mobilization, civic engagement, and the dissemination of political information. Across the globe, social media is used to express political opinions, organize protests, and mobilize support for various causes. At the same time, the emergence of social media has transformed the ways in which political figures connect with citizens, communicate political messages, and shape political narratives. However, social media has also been criticized for amplifying fake news and spreading divisive political messages. This Research Topic seeks to examine the complex and multifaceted relationship between social media and political participation. The aim is to generate new insights, theories, and methodologies that can help navigate the complexities and opportunities of the digital sphere.