Digital Communication of Young People With State Authorities: Sociocultural and Country-Specific Aspects
Abstract
At present, the formation of youth online engagement practices with the state is determined not only by the level of technological and digital development (infrastructure and access), but also by the sociocultural paradigms of civic participation, the level of institutional trust, and the dynamics of networked social relations. In this study, we aim to investigate the sociocultural conditions determining specific features of digital communication between young people and state authorities across different national contexts. To that end, we carry out in-depth interviews and compare the data obtained with established international e-government ratings and theoretical models. The research addresses three primary questions: whether countries with higher levels of e-government development demonstrate higher youth involvement in digital governmental communication; whether greater e-government rankings correlate with greater youth activity in digital authority interactions; and whether digitalized communication between the state and young people fosteres enhanced trust in governmental institutions. The study revealed similarities in the perception of youth of digital communication with authorities in the countries under analysis, thus reflecting globalization-driven behavioral patterns that transcend national boundaries. The scientific novelty of this study lies in the refutation of a direct correlation between the levels of governmental technological advancement and digital Internet activity among young people in their interaction with state authorities. The study found predominantly pragmatic youth orientation toward government interaction, with digital communication utilized primarily for service acquisition rather than civic participation. Nevertheless, the issue of youth trust in digital interaction and government remains highly relevant and is largely shaped by sociocultural paradigms and the actual practices of civic participation.
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Published
2025-12-29
How to Cite
Savchuk, G., Bannykh, G., & Kulpin, S.
(2025).
Digital Communication of Young People With State Authorities: Sociocultural and Country-Specific Aspects.
Changing Societies & Personalities, 9(4), 937-960.
doi:10.15826/csp.2025.9.4.360
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