Dynamics of political usage of smart phones: Examining relationship of exposure patterns and polarization among young voters

Mobile phones are credited to be the fastest penetrating technology among Pakistani youth. The study examines the role of selective exposure in polarization among young voters during General Elections of Pakistan, 2013. It highlights the relationship between usage of mobile phones for political messages and tendency of users to attend and share selective as well as diverse views and alternative perspectives. Findings from 200 respondents through survey method reveal that selective exposure of young voters is on decline and they engage themselves to diverse contents as well. Thus, polarization patterns of Pakistani youth are changing in relation to mobile usage.