Insights on modern youth activism: the case of university of malta students

This study, conducted by researchers within the Faculty for Social Well-being, following a commission by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ highlights a shift from traditional to a more contemporary approach to youth activism. Young people are withdrawing from formal institutions towards less structured means of activism; with social media being mostly used as a medium through which students are active.

Findings show that age, gender, post-secondary education, students’ mode of attendance at UM and their type of employment demonstrate a statistically significant association with activism, contrary to other socio-demographic variables tested throughout this report; with variations on one’s identity leading to different approaches towards activism.

Moreover, this report shows that amongst participants intrinsic motivators such as the willingness to bring about change and feeling strongly about a cause have a major impact on the active engagement of students. On the contrary, respondents claim that partisan politics and backlash impede their participation mostly, as they fear negative repercussions. With a lack of trust, sense of belonging and limited belief that they can actually bring about change, young people may tend to believe that they have more to lose than gain.

Read the full study to find out more.