Political Identity in the Digital Age: Analysis of the Impact of Social Media on the Formation of Youth Beliefs and Values

The article presents a new approach to understanding the formation of political identity among youth in the digital age by integrating sociometric methods with the analysis of public opinion polarization. The relevance of this work is underscored by the social and governmental importance of studying the processes related to the formation of political identity. The novelty of the research lies in the innovative approach to applying sociometry, which allows for a more detailed examination of the influence of social media on the formation of political beliefs and values. It highlights the dual role of social media as a platform for diverse viewpoints and as a potential tool for manipulative content dissemination. By focusing on the demographic characteristics of youth and utilizing sociometric data, the author illuminates the complex processes of political socialization in the context of digital media, emphasizing their dual nature as both educational tools and mechanisms for information manipulation. The findings and conclusions emphasize the importance of critical engagement with digital information and advocate for regulatory measures to protect against misinformation.