Abstract:
This study examined the influence of political engagement on TikTok in motivating
Political Science majors from the University of the Philippines (UP) to participate in protest
marches. As TikTok emerged as a platform for political discourse and activism among Gen Z,
understanding its impact on offline political actions became crucial. Guided by the Uses and
Gratifications Theory (UGT), this research explored how users actively engaged with TikTok to
fulfill their political needs and motivations. Through qualitative interviews with Political Science
majors from UP Manila, Diliman, and Tacloban campuses, the study identified three distinct
forms of political engagement on TikTok: latent engagement (passive watching and content
evaluation), follower engagement (following accounts aligned with political values), and
expressive engagement (commenting, reposting, and content creation). Notably, while system
engagement was conceptually significant, the study found no instances of manifest engagement
among the respondents. The thematic analysis revealed that follower and expressive
engagements were the most influential in motivating protest participation, serving as catalysts for
awareness, social, and emotional connection. Factors such as content limitations, algorithmic
biases, anonymity, and security concerns also affected the translation of online engagement to
offline participation. The study concluded by discussing strategies to enhance the mobilizing
potential of TikTok as a tool for youth activism, emphasizing the need for content that amplifies
their motivation for protest participation, along with offline engagements that can catalyze
on-the-ground activism.
