The Mediating Effect of Digital Information Literacy on the Correlation Between Online Platform Political Participation and Social Media-Inspired Voting Decisions Among College Students

Poor voting decisions are widespread. This study examined the mediating role of digital information literacy in students' voting decisions. Using mediation analysis with 383 college students selected through proportionate stratified sampling, it was found that digital information literacy partially and significantly mediates this relationship (48.5%), supporting the Uses and Gratifications Theory. Future research using other mediators not covered in this study to elucidate further the 51.5% variance in social media-inspired voting decisions may be conducted. Likewise, qualitative methods and institutional programs are recommended to enhance digital information literacy.

Mediating effect, digital information literacy, online platform political participation, social media-inspired voting decisions, college students

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