Digital Rhetoric and Divisive Politics: Examining Politicians’ Tweets as Catalysts for Political Intolerance, Hate and Aggression Among Youth

This study investigates the relationship between exposure to politicians' tweets and the manifestation of political intolerance, hate, and aggression among university students in Pakistan. Using a quantitative survey method, data were collected from 262 students across Pakistan's top five universities (as ranked by the Higher Education Commission). The study employed Simple Linear Regression, Multiple Linear Regression, Correlation, and Factor Analysis to analyze the data. Grounded in the Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) and Selective Exposure Theory, the findings reveal that frequent exposure to politicians' tweets significantly predicts higher levels of political intolerance, hate, and aggression. Gender differences were also observed, with male students exhibiting higher aggression levels. The study highlights the role of social media algorithms in amplifying divisive content and suggests interventions such as media literacy programs and platform governance reforms to mitigate these effects.