Impact of Social Media on July 2024 Revolution in Bangladesh: A Cross-sectional Study among University Students

The emergence of social media plays significant impact on social dynamics which also mobilize the people, organize and plan in collective action for political movements that move toward revolution. The Gen Z led youth revolution in Bangladesh began with the protest against the quota system in the government job in 2024. But the rapid transformation of movement continued and turn into protest against the authoritarian regime. Social media played a significant role in mobilizing this youth led revolution. This study aims to examine the impact of social media on Gen Z led July revolution of 2024 in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2 to December 26, 2024 after the revolution occurred in the 5th August, 2024 among 131 students aged 18 to 32 who were involve with movement. The data were collected through the online survey by non-random purposive sampling using the google form. Then data were coded and analyzed by the IBM SPSS Version 25.0. The study finds that 93.2% respondents considered social media plays role for maintaining consistency of revolution by providing information. Social media encouraged people to engage in the movement, shape the public consent, gathering people and accelerated the movement. 59.5% respondents think that movement would success but more delay without social media and 84.7% agreed that social media keep active the July movement. The social media also creates awareness by providing update news, live streaming, photos and videos sharing. There is a positive relation of social media and July revolution in Bangladesh. Social media had greater impact on youth led July revolution 2024 in Bangladesh. The study findings show the significant impact of social media on the July Revolution 2024. The study suggested that social media shape any movement to fall autocratic regime which can be accelerated with positive narrative and changing political landscape.