Socialization in the Age of Digital Media A Sociological Study of the Libyan Context

Abstract

This study aims to explore the role of social media platforms, specifically Facebook, in the political socialization process of Libyan university students, using Bani Walid University as a field model. The study is based on the hypothesis that social media platforms have become an influential factor in shaping youth political consciousness, contributing to the formation of their political attitudes and orientations—either positively, by enhancing participation and awareness, or negatively, by fueling division and polarization. Adopting a social survey methodology, the study utilized a questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 125 male and female students who are active Facebook users. The questionnaire focused on measuring the platform's impact on citizenship values, constitutional literacy, and levels of political participation and knowledge. The results indicate that Facebook serves as a primary source of political information for students, contributing to increased interest in public affairs and awareness of rights and duties, while also fostering digital engagement in political discussions and campaigns. Conversely, the findings reveal that the platform may reinforce sub-identities and polarization, alongside the spread of misinformation and the risk of bias in attitude formation; this, in turn, weakens the role of traditional socialization institutions such as the family and school. The study concludes that the impact of social media on the political socialization of university students is characterized by a complex intersection of positive and negative effects. This necessitates digital awareness and educational strategies by universities, families, and media institutions. The study recommends enhancing media and digital literacy, organizing workshops and awareness campaigns, and developing regulatory policies to mitigate hate speech and misinformation. Furthermore, it calls for future research to expand the scope to include other digital platforms and diverse university contexts within Libya.