The article is dedicated to the analysis of the transformation of political socialization processes among youth under the influence of the digital environment. The authors examine how social networks and the internet become key agents in shaping political consciousness, while simultaneously creating new challenges: increased polarization of opinions, mass dissemination of misinformation, and low levels of media literacy. It is emphasized that in conditions of information overload and algorithmic content filtering, youth are increasingly deprived of an objective picture of political reality. In this context, the development of critical thinking emerges as a necessary condition for conscious participation in public and political life. The author concludes that there is a need to implement educational programs aimed at enhancing digital and media literacy among youth as a foundation for democratic civic participation in the digital age. The study employs qualitative analysis using content analysis and theoretical generalization methods to examine the impact of the digital environment on the political socialization of youth. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive analysis of the interrelationship between the digital environment and the processes of political socialization among youth in the context of the modern media ecosystem. Unlike traditional approaches, the author emphasizes the specifics of shaping political consciousness through algorithmically mediated platforms, where emotional content, fake news, and echo chambers predominate. A significant contribution of the work is the identification of the dual role of social networks: on one hand, they expand access to political information and promote engagement; on the other hand, they enhance polarization and diminish critical perception. The main findings confirm that without developed media literacy and critical thinking skills, youth become vulnerable to manipulation and misinformation. The author concludes that there is a need to integrate educational programs on digital literacy into school and university curricula to prepare the younger generation for conscious and responsible participation in democratic processes.
Gilyazov et al. (Thu,) studied this question.