Abstract

In the digital age the political engagement of youth is no longer shaped solely by traditional media or institutionalized political education. Instead informal and participatory digital cultures—particularly meme culture—have emerged as powerful agents of political socialization. Memes with their humor relatability and viral potential have evolved into a complex mode of political expression and opinion formation especially among young internet users. This research paper explores the intersection of meme culture and political socialization among youth with a focus on how memes influence political opinions shape ideological affiliations and create a shared space for critique satire and resistance. Employing a qualitative approach supported by online content analysis and interviews with university students in urban India this study investigates how political memes inform engage or manipulate young minds. The findings suggest that meme culture plays a dual role—both as a tool for civic eng