This study analyzed the voices of youth in Rivers State: navigating power and participation in digital communication. The theory of communicative action was the anchor for this research. This study adopted a qualitative research methodology that utilized face-to-face interviews. The study population comprised youth aged 18 to 35 residing across the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State, estimated at approximately 2.8 million according to the National Bureau of Statistics (5), representing a significant portion of the state's total population. From this population, a purposive sample of 30 participants was selected, ensuring diversity across gender, location (urban and rural), educational background, and levels of digital engagement. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling and data were collected through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. The data gathered was analysed using thematic analysis, which involved coding responses, identifying recurring patterns and organising themes that reflect the nuances of youth voice, power relations and participation dynamics. The findings revealed that youth in Rivers State actively use digital communication platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, and Instagram as tools for civic expression and socio-political engagement, although their level of participation is influenced by access, location, and digital proficiency. The study concluded that digital communication platforms have become vital tools for youth in Rivers State to express their voices and engage in socio-political discourse, highlighting a shift toward virtual civic participation, though access remains uneven and shaped by infrastructural and social disparities. The study recommended that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and local government councils should provide digital literacy programs and training centres to help more youth in Rivers State effectively use digital platforms for civic participation.
Eke et al. (Mon,) studied this question.