THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN CREATING POLITICAL AWARENESS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN AYUTTHAYA PROVINCE

Abstract

The research study consisted of 3 main objectives: 1) to study the role of
social media in creating political awareness among secondary school students in
Ayutthaya Province; 2) to study instruments creating political awareness of
secondary school students in Ayutthaya Province; and 3) to present a model for
creating political awareness among secondary school students in Ayutthaya
Province by applying the Seven-Sappurisa dhamma. The research was employed by Mixed Methods: Quantitative Research collecting data by using questionnaire
and Qualitative Research collection data with interviewing the 17 key informants.
And the collected data were analyzed and synthesized as well as summarized
and presented as composition.
The findings of the research are as follows: 1. As for studying the role of
social media in creating political awareness among secondary school students in
Ayutthaya Province, it has been found that social media has been regarded as a
source of knowledge and gives students an opportunity to learn new things,
exchange knowledge, share information and networking opportunities being able
to connect with people quickly and efficiently. The social media plays an
important role in raising the political awareness of secondary school students in
Ayutthaya Province consisting of Facebook, Google, and Twitter.
2. As for instruments creating political awareness of secondary school
students in Ayutthaya Province, those consist of Facebook, Google, and Twitter.
Social media, as the instruments creating political awareness, was found to be the
most frequently used platform in politics. The said approach has completely
changed the political scene. In matter of that it is used in political campaigns,
protests, political awareness, and political activism. It has a great influence on the
behavior of voters and plays an important role in obtaining political knowledge
and motivation to express opinions on political matters as well as giving freedom
to express their opinions, due to those platforms can track events in both local
and global levels.
3. As for the model for creating political awareness among secondary
school students in Ayutthaya Province, it has been found It is a model to
encourage students to participate in all activities as a practice to have skills and
when they grow up, they will have life skills. Students are encouraged to become
skilled in political participation. This can be called political refinement by applying
the seven Sappurisadhamma principles: knowing the cause, knowing the purpose, knowing oneself, knowing moderation, knowing the proper time, knowing the
community, and knowing the individual, which is already inserted in the political
refinement process allowing students to engage in political activities, allowing
freedom of political expression that should promote democratic values in the
classroom and through social media. Accordingly, the most suitable Buddhist
principles is Sappurisadhamma resulting students be awakened in politics
appropriately, and trust in political leaders at various levels as well as have a
positive attitude towards politics and political culture. This will result in the
stability of the country's political and administrative system as well.