Gender Differences in the Use of Online Platforms for Political Participation – Frontiers

 

Report on Online Civic Engagement and its Impact on Political Participation Among Young Adults in Italy

A Study in the Context of the Sustainable Development Goals

This report summarizes a study investigating the role of online platforms in mitigating political disengagement among young adults in Italy. The research specifically examines the intersection of online civic activity, political participation, and gender, providing critical insights relevant to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Executive Summary

Political disengagement poses a significant threat to inclusive and representative democracies, undermining progress towards SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). This study analyzed data from 1,149 young Italian adults to determine if online civic engagement could bolster political participation. The findings indicate a strong positive correlation, with notable implications for SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Online tools were found to be particularly beneficial for women in forming political opinions, suggesting a viable pathway to enhance their participation in public life.

Methodology

• Participants: 1,149 young adults in Italy.
• Age Range: 18 to 35 years (Mean Age: 25.61).
• Gender Distribution: 68.9% women.
• Data Collection: An online survey was utilized to gather data.
• Analysis: A multiple-group path analysis model was employed to compare outcomes between men and women.

Key Findings and SDG Alignment

Fostering Inclusive Institutions (SDG 16)

The research confirms that online civic engagement is a significant driver of political participation for young adults. This directly supports SDG Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. Key outcomes include:

1. A direct and indirect positive association between online civic engagement and higher political participation (interest, opinion formation, and involvement).
2. This association holds true across genders, indicating that digital platforms can serve as a broad-based tool to strengthen democratic engagement among youth.
3. By countering political apathy, these online activities help build more resilient and participatory institutions as envisioned by SDG 16.

Advancing Gender Equality and Reducing Inequalities (SDG 5 & SDG 10)

A critical finding of the study highlights a specific benefit for women, directly addressing the goals of gender equality and the inclusion of underrepresented groups.

• Contribution to SDG 5 (Gender Equality): The study revealed that for women, online civic participation is directly linked to an increased ease in forming political opinions. This finding is crucial for SDG Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership… in political… and public life. Digital tools appear to lower barriers for women, potentially reducing the historical gender gap in political discourse.
• Contribution to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By focusing on young adults and women—groups often underrepresented in traditional politics—the study provides evidence for mechanisms that promote inclusion. This aligns with SDG Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex… or other status.

Conclusion and Implications for Sustainable Development

The study provides compelling evidence that online civic engagement is a powerful tool for enhancing political participation among young people. The findings strongly suggest that leveraging digital platforms can be an effective strategy for advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Specifically, such initiatives can:

• Strengthen democratic processes and build more inclusive institutions (SDG 16).
• Empower women by providing them with tools to engage more confidently in the political sphere, thereby promoting gender equality (SDG 5).
• Reduce political inequality by fostering participation among marginalized youth populations (SDG 10).

Future programs aimed at fostering civic and political engagement should integrate digital strategies to effectively reach young adults and support the goal of creating more equitable and representative societies.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The issues discussed in the article, primarily focusing on political participation, gender differences, and the inclusion of young adults, are connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Specific Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets under the identified SDGs can be identified:

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

  The article directly addresses this target by investigating “gender differences” in political participation and exploring how online tools can be beneficial “in reducing the gender gap in women’s participation in the political debate.” The study’s focus on whether online platforms can sustain political participation for women as an “underrepresented group” aligns with ensuring their full and effective participation in public life.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

  This target is relevant as the article centers on the problem of “citizens’ disengagement” and its impact on the “equal and inclusive representation of the population.” It specifically examines how to sustain political participation for “the most underrepresented groups,” identifying “young adults and women” as its focus. This directly relates to promoting the political inclusion of all, irrespective of age and sex.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

  The article’s core theme is the challenge of “citizens’ disengagement in political participation,” which is a direct threat to participatory and representative decision-making. By studying how “online civic engagement” can foster “political participation (i.e., interest, opinion formation, and involvement),” the research aims to find solutions that promote the very principles of inclusive and participatory governance that this target seeks to achieve.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies several factors that can be used as indicators to measure progress toward the identified targets:

Indicators for Target 5.5 (Gender Equality)

• Women’s political participation level: The study explicitly investigates gender differences in political participation, making the rate of female participation a key metric.
• Ease of forming political opinions among women: The finding that “online civic participation is directly related to the ease of forming opinions in politics only for women” suggests this is a measurable indicator of their engagement in the political debate.

Indicators for Target 10.2 (Reduced Inequalities)

• Political participation rates of young adults: The study focuses on young adults (ages 18-35) as an underrepresented group, making their rate of political interest, opinion formation, and involvement a direct indicator of their inclusion.
• Rate of online civic engagement among underrepresented groups: The article posits online civic engagement as a tool for political participation, so its adoption rate by young people and women serves as an indicator of empowerment.

Indicators for Target 16.7 (Inclusive and Participatory Decision-making)

• Level of political interest and involvement: The study measures “political interest” and “political involvement” as components of political participation. These serve as direct indicators of a participatory society.
• Degree of affinity with political disengagement: The article uses “affinity with political disengagement” as a mediating variable. Measuring this sentiment in the population, particularly among youth, can indicate the health of and trust in participatory decision-making processes.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Implied or Mentioned in the Article)
SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.	Gender differences in political participation. Women’s ease of forming opinions in politics. Level of women’s involvement in political debate.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex…	Level of political participation among young adults. Rate of online civic engagement among young adults and women. Degree of equal and inclusive representation of the population.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.	Level of political interest among young adults. Rate of political involvement. Degree of citizens’ disengagement in political participation. Affinity with political disengagement/mistrust.

Source: frontiersin.org