The  Dual Role of Social Media: Developing Political Awareness Among University Students in the Digital Age – A Case Study of Al-Hussein Bin Talal University

A. I. AL-NAANA'A; S. A. AL TAWALBEH; S. N. ALQURAAN

doi:10.15802/unilib/2025_345584

Authors

A. I. AL-NAANA'A Al-Hussein Bin Talal University (Ma'an, Jordan), Jordan https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3924-5299
S. A. AL TAWALBEH Department of Library& Information, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University (Ma'an, Jordan), Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1406-0955
S. N. ALQURAAN Department of Media and Strategic Studies, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University (Ma'an, Jordan), Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3178-0444

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15802/unilib/2025_345584

Keywords:

political awareness, social media literacy, university students, digital information sources, critical engagement, Jordanian higher education

Abstract

Objective. This study investigates the dual role of social media as a primary source of information in fostering political awareness among university students at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University. Methods. A mixed-methods approach was utilized, combining a validated Likert-scale questionnaire (α = 0.947) administered to 398 students with qualitative analysis of their social media engagement practices. Results. Findings indicate moderate engagement (M = 3.26–3.44) with platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), with a strong positive correlation (r = 0.665, p < 0.01) between usage frequency and political awareness, though critical source evaluation remains limited. Conclusions. Social media significantly shapes political consciousness, necessitating library-led digital literacy programs to enhance critical engagement and counter misinformation in higher education.

Author Biographies

A. I. AL-NAANA'A, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University (Ma'an, Jordan)

Ali Al-Naana'a,
Master's student

S. A. AL TAWALBEH, Department of Library& Information, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University (Ma'an, Jordan)

Serhan Ahmad Al Tawalbeh,
Ph.D. in Library Science,
M.A. in Economics,
Associate Professor.

S. N. ALQURAAN, Department of Media and Strategic Studies, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University (Ma'an, Jordan)

Dr. Sultan Naser Alquraan,
Professor

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