Title:
LINKING DIGITAL-MEDIA TO YOUTHS’ POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT IN SELECTED LEARNING INSTITUTIONS IN CHONGWE DISTRICT

Authors:
Joel Chilufya ,Daniel Katongo Chola and Davy Mainde ,Zambia

Abstract:
The study was a descriptive case study design aimed at investigating if digital media literacy can lead to Youths’ positive engagement in politics. Two secondary schools, a college of education and a university were sampled. The target population size was 178 respondents. Data analysis showed that youths did not stand in elective positions and that youths were not active in voting. The study however, noted that the older youths (20s to 30s) participated more in voting than the younger youths (below 20). The study found that youths were active participants in campaign activities as well as attendance of political meetings. The study concluded that youths did not engage civic leaders on matters related to their livelihood and welfare. Furthermore, the study also found that youths did not engage in supporting of disability rights such as running for autism day. The study however, found that digital media literacy influences youth engagement in politics. The researcher recommended that there was need to place greater priority on the coordination of opportunities for exploration, expression, and empowerment through digital media with risk prevention efforts; adolescents needed to learn to manage, rather than simply avoid, risks inherent to life online... Lastly the study asserted the need to involve youth themselves (through youth councils) in efforts to set policy and inform practice related to digital media.