Social Media and political participation in Kazakhstan: are Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube democratizing our political system?

Abstract

Social media's influence on political activity and citizen participation in today's information society is significant. This research aims to examine the connection between social media usage and the political engagement of young people in Kazakhstan, contributing to the existing literature in this area. The study focuses on three research questions as use of social media for political engagement, its impact on the expansion of political participation and democratization among the youth in Kazakhstan, and the perceptions of young individuals regarding social media's capacity to enable their involvement in politics and influence political decision-making and opinion formation. Preliminary findings reveal that Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have emerged as significant platforms for political participation, particularly among the younger generation in Kazakhstan. These platforms have empowered citizens to express their opinions, share political content, and engage in discussions previously limited to traditional media outlets. The democratization potential of social media lies in their ability to facilitate the free flow of information and amplify diverse voices. Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube offer platforms for citizens to exchange information, express viewpoints, and engage with political matters, which is crucial in environments with limited traditional media. However, social media platforms face limitations and challenges when used for political participation. For example, disinformation and manipulation pose significant risks that distort public opinion formation. Additionally, not all citizens have equal access to the Internet and social media, leading to a digital divide that may skew perceptions of political preferences. In Kazakhstan, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have become platforms through which the younger generation actively expresses political opinions and influences public discourse. However, political participation through social media remains constrained and subject to limitations. These platforms can potentially democratize Kazakhstan's political system by providing avenues for free expression and information exchange. However, their influence can be curtailed by restrictions and regulations, hindering their impact on political activity and citizen participation. To achieve broader democratization of Kazakhstan's political system, it is crucial to foster conditions encouraging open discussions on political issues within social media platforms while preserving citizens' rights to express their political beliefs freely