Investigating the Impact of Social Media on Political Participation Model: A Study of Gilan Province Elections

Dr Nasim Mohammadi Kakrodi¹

1) Nasim Mohammadi Kakroudi, PhD in Political Geography, Department of Geography, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

IOI Code : XDGK-FCAKF
Publication : 3 rd Conference on Psychology, Educational Sciences, Social Sciences and Counseling (cpsconf.com)
Abstract :
    Social media can improve various forms of political participation. This study aims to identify the impacts of social media on political participation in the 10th, 11th, and 12th presidential elections in Iran. The study hypothesizes that social media have influenced these elections in three dimensions: spectator, transitional and gladiatorial activities. This is a descriptive survey that used qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. The study used the Delphi method and sought the remarks of key informants (experts) for the collection of qualitative data and used questionnaires distributed among citizens for quantitative data collection. The results indicated that social media significantly increased Gilak citizens active political participation while it had non-significant impacts on passive behavior patterns.

Keywords : social media online social networks political participation election electoral behavior guilan