Platform Affordances and Women's Political Participation: How Social Media Reshapes Political Engagement

This study examines how platform affordances and digital engagement shape the political participation of Indonesian youth on social media. A cross-sectional survey of 100 respondents aged 17–40 years employed a 5-point Likert instrument to measure affordances (visibility, editability, persistence, association, spreadability), engagement (consumption, interaction, creation/coordination), and political participation (informational, expressive, participatory). Multiple regression analysis indicated a strong model fit (R² = 0.687; F = 106.565; P < 0.001). Digital engagement exerted a positive and significant effect on political participation (B = 0.792; P < 0.001), whereas platform affordances had a small and non-significant effect when tested alongside engagement (B = 0.048; P = 0.144). These findings position platform affordances as enablers that must be activated through meaningful engagement practices. Descriptive data reveal the dominance of Instagram and TikTok, typical daily usage of 1 to 2 hours, and evening access as the primary rhythm. The implications suggest that political participation interventions should prioritize strengthening content production and coordination activities, digital literacy, and inclusive access.