earticle

영어

The purpose of this study is to empirically compare the effects of using SNS on civic engagement among Koreans and Mongolian youths between the age of 20 and 29. From a survey conducted in March 2017 in Korea, a final selection of 188 respondents (111 Korean college students residing in Busan and 75 overseas students from Mongolia) was made. The study focused on two broad categories, ‘Using SNS Factor’ consists of sub-factors such as the user motivations and user behaviors, and ‘Civic Engagement Factor’ consists of sub-factors such as the political interest, political efficacy, and online/offline participations. In general, ‘Using SNS Factor’ in both groups was found to be useful in explaining the level of civic engagement. In the Korean group, ‘Using SNS Factor’ appeared to be useful enhancing political interest and online/offline participations. When a youth has a politician friend(s) on Facebook, he/she is more interested in politics and participates more in politics, both in online and offline. The more a youth uses SNS for information-seeking, the more he/she is interested in politics and participates in online politics. The more a youth uses SNS for relationship-seeking, the more he/she participates in such activities offline. In Mongolian group, ‘Using SNS Factor’ appeared to be useful enhancing online and offline participations. Youths who have politician friend(s) on Facebook participate more in online politics. And the motivation to seek relationship positively explains Mongolian youths’ online participation. In conclusion, understanding how to use SNS is useful in explaining democratic citizenship of young people in their 20s both in Korea and Mongolia.