Student Advocacy on Social Media: Risk and Opportunities

Abstract

In today’s digital landscape, social media plays a transformative role in shaping student advocacy by enabling young individuals to voice opinions, mobilize support, and participate in societal change. This study investigates both the opportunities and risks associated with student advocacy on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and WhatsApp. Using a structured questionnaire circulated via Google Forms, data was collected from 200 student respondents through convenience and snowball sampling techniques. The findings reveal that 79.5% of students strongly believe social media enables real change in society, with responses consistent across genders. Students view social media as a platform not only for communication but also for awareness creation, leadership development, and democratic participation. However, challenges such as misinformation, cyberbullying, and privacy concerns remain evident. The study concludes that while education level does not significantly affect students’ perceptions, overall optimism towards social media advocacy is strong. Responsible usage can therefore enhance its potential as a powerful enabler of student-led social change.