ENHANCING YOUTH POLITICAL PARTICIPATION THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA EXPOSURE: AN EXPLORATION OF SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY

This theoretical paper discovers the enhancement of youth political participation through social media platforms, with a specific focus on the Social Exchange Theory (SET). The study emphasizes how citizens leverage social media to strengthen their political engagement, while SET underscores the significance of relational networks in fostering collective action and social trust among youth. Though, the practical application of SET differs across diverse contexts, influenced by factors such as culture and societal structures, this paper investigates into the foundational principles of SET, offering a nuanced understanding of youth participation dynamics in political contexts, particularly within high power-distance cultures like Nigeria. The discussion examines how extended social exchanges can empower citizens' voices while strengthening approaches to engage youth in the political process, it also examines the barriers to youth political participation in Nigeria, including corporate politics, hierarchical systems, centralized leadership, and cultural disparities ingrained in power distance. To address these challenges, the paper recommends for further research on power dynamics and hierarchies within political systems. Additionally, it highlights the potential of social exchange mechanisms to mitigate the effects of arbitrary political power, guaranteeing that youth participation realizes its intended goals of inclusivity, representation, and impact.