The Digital Trap: How Short Political Videos on TikTok and Reels Lock Pakistani Youth into One-Sided Thinking

Abstract

This study investigates how algorithm-driven short-form video platforms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram Reels) shape political perceptions and contribute to affective political polarization among Pakistani youth. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 390 young adults (aged 18–30) in Lahore, Pakistan, selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire measuring platform usage, exposure to algorithmically curated political content, and affective polarization. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests of independence, and binary logistic regression were employed for analysis. Results indicate that 64.1% of respondents spend over three hours daily on short-form video platforms. A majority (57.2%) agreed that algorithms repeatedly show similar political viewpoints, leading to the perception of ideological echo chambers (46.9% rarely see opposing views). Logistic regression revealed that daily consumption of political short-form videos significantly predicts affective political polarization (B = 1.43, p < .001), with heavy users being over four times more likely to report heightened emotional attachment to political groups. The study confirms the existence of a "digital trap" where algorithmic personalization reinforces existing beliefs, limits exposure to diverse perspectives, and intensifies affective polarization. These findings have critical implications for media literacy interventions, platform governance, and democratic discourse in Pakistan.

References

Ahmed, S., & Asif, M. (2026). Comparative analysis of attitudes toward climate change policies across urban and rural populations. Pakistan Journal of Social Science Review, 5(1), 747–769. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18457821

Ahmed, S., & Asif, M. (2026). Public opinion on the effectiveness of local government anti-corruption measures: A multi-city survey analysis. International Journal of Social Sciences Bulletin, 4(1), 1189–1201. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18412790

Ahmmad, M., Shahzad, K., Iqbal, A., & Latif, M. (2025). Trap of social media algorithms: A systematic review of research on filter bubbles, echo chambers, and their impact on youth. Societies, 15(11), 301. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15110301

Asif, M. (2025). Financial performance of startups linked to universities: Evidence from developing economies. Journal of Applied Linguistics and TESOL, 8(3), 2736–2763. https://doi.org/10.63878/jalt2003

Asif, M., Ali, A., & Shaheen, F. A. (2025). Assessing the effects of artificial intelligence in revolutionizing human resource management: A systematic review. Social Science Review Archives, 3(4), 2887–2908. https://doi.org/10.70670/sra.v3i3.1055

Asif, M., & Asghar, R. J. (2025). Managerial accounting as a driver of financial performance and sustainability in small and medium enterprises in Pakistan. Center for Management Science Research, 3(7), 150–163. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17596478

Asif, M., & Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M. (2026). The silent disengagement: A quantitative analysis of leadership, recognition, and workload as predictors of quiet quitting among knowledge workers. Al-AASAR Journal, 3(1), 271–303. https://doi.org/10.63878/aaj1525

Asif, M., & Ullah, S. (2026). Determinants of support for federalism vs. centralization: A survey of public opinion in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Social Science Review Archives, 4(1), 2791–2807. https://doi.org/10.70670/sra.v4i1.1843

Asif, M., & Ullah, S. (2026). Performance voting vs. identity voting: An analysis of electoral behaviour in Pakistani districts. Journal of Applied Linguistics and TESOL (JALT), 9(1), 213–226. https://doi.org/10.63878/cjssr.v4i1.2079

Bail, C. A. (2018). Exposure to opposing views on social media can increase political polarization. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(37), 9216–9221.

Bakshy, E., Messing, S., & Adamic, L. A. (2015). Exposure to ideologically diverse news and opinion on Facebook. Science, 348(6239), 1130–1132.

Cinelli, M., Morales, G. D. F., Galeazzi, A., Quattrociocchi, W., & Starnini, M. (2021). The echo chamber effect on social media. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(9), e2023301118.

Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford University Press.

Garrett, R. K. (2009). Echo chambers online? Politically motivated selective exposure among Internet news users. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 14(2), 265–285.

Hussain, S. (2025). Algorithmic amplification and youth political engagement on TikTok: A study of political discourse, engagement, and gendered interactions in Pakistan. Magna Carta: Contemporary Social Science, 4(2), 79–90.

Husnain, M., & Tareen, S. (2024). [Title needed]. [Journal name needed].

Iftikhar, N., & Bajwa, R. S. (2025). Influence of social media algorithms on the perspective of Pakistani youth. Pakistan Journal of Law, Analysis and Wisdom, 4(3), 63–72.

Iyengar, S., & Westwood, S. J. (2015). Fear and loathing across party lines: New evidence on group polarization. American Journal of Political Science, 59(3), 690–707.

Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610.

Malik, N., Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M., Bugti, M. A., & Bangulzai, W. A. (2025). Harassment of women in South Punjab politics: Impacts and strategies for enhanced leadership. ACADEMIA International Journal for Social Sciences, 4(3), 2575–2590. https://doi.org/10.63056/ACAD.004.03.0547

McCombs, M. E., & Shaw, D. L. (1972). The agenda-setting function of mass media. Public Opinion Quarterly, 36(2), 176–187.

Mirza, S. J., Maryam, B., & Tamour, F. A. (2025). Social media's role in the 2024 Pakistani elections: An agenda-setting perspective. ACAD Journal of Social Sciences, 4(2), 1679–1683.

Pariser, E. (2011). The filter bubble: What the Internet is hiding from you. Penguin Press.

Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M. (2022). Redesign for 21st-Century Skills: Preparing learners for a rapidly changing workforce. Journal of Business Insight and Innovation, 1(2), 89–102.

Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M. (2023). The impact of digital literacy on students' learning outcomes: A comprehensive review. Inverge Journal of Social Sciences, 2(2), 194–205. https://doi.org/10.63544/ijss.v2i2.210

Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M., Bukhari, S. T., Malik, N., Rehman, L., & Qamar, A. H. (2025). Gender differences in the use and challenges of breakthrough technology in higher education: Evidence from Punjab. The Critical Review of Social Sciences Studies, 3(3), 1056–1073. https://doi.org/10.59075/hpdvq714

Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M., Khalid, N., & Susanto, E. (2025). Addressing environmental and social challenges: A mixed-method study on the education and inclusion of eunuchs in South Punjab, Pakistan. Social Science Review Archives, 3(1), 284–299. https://doi.org/10.70670/sra.v3i1.311

Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M., Shih, Y.-H., & Akomodi, J. O. (2026). Integrating emotional intelligence and AI-driven learning in higher education: Implications for student well-being and university HR policies. The Study of Religion and History, 4(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.63163/srh300

Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M., & Asif, M. (2026). Mechanisms of exclusion: Power, structure, and the persistence of gender inequality. Qualitative Research Journal for Social Studies, 3(1), 690–703. https://doi.org/10.63878/qrjs921

Riasat, Z., Hussain, S., & Rasheed, M. (2025). [Title needed]. [Journal name needed].

Sunstein, C. R. (2017). #Republic: Divided democracy in the age of social media. Princeton University Press.

Tufekci, Z. (2015). Algorithmic harms beyond Facebook and Google: Emergent challenges of computational agency. Colorado Technology Law Journal, 13, 203–218.