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Paper short abstract:

To explore social media's impact on African youth activism, focusing on identity formation, mobilization, and citizen journalism. Assess how social media platforms empower activism, challenge traditional media, and amplify hashtag movements (algorithms), in contemporary African protest narratives.

Paper long abstract:

Social media has empowered African youth and vulnerable communities to negotiate their future with perceived threats to their wellbeing (Suraj, 2024). This research looks at the impactful role of social media in African protest movements, focusing youth identity development, mobilization, and the rise of citizen journalism. It investigates how protesters may plan demonstrations, get around established gatekeepers, and make their opinions heard by using social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and ‘X’-Twitter. The study explores the link between youth participation in protests and the development of shared identity rooted in democratic ideals and social justice (Keith, 2023).

This research analyzes the evolving role of traditional media in reaction to social media dominance, with citizen journalism emerging as a counter-narrative to traditional media's role. In particular, a keen look at how mainstream media respond to content generated by citizens and discussions about protests. Through citizen journalism, it also explores the disputed narratives between protesters and state authorities, looking at how social media shape public opinion and conversations about accountability and governance. Moreover, the study examines how social media algorithms affect the visibility of content related to protests, exploring how hashtag movements influence mobilization attempts and how they amplify or suppress them (Michael Etter, 2020).

This research provides a comprehensive understanding of the digital frontlines in the struggle for democratic change and social accountability in Africa. It provides insights on the complex dynamics of protest movements in the digital age, and the intersection of emerging technology, activism, and media.