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Executive Summary

The objective of this research is to develop indicators for social media literacy of youths for

citizenship in a democratic society. According to the National Statistical Office, the word “youth”

means young people age between 15-24 years old. This research used qualitative methods to

address the following concepts: 1) internet and social media behavior in Thailand; 2) social

media; 3) media literacy; and 4) democratic citizenship.

The development of the conceptual framework in this research was based on analysis

and synthesis of concepts and theories concerning social media literacy and democratic

citizenship, explored through interviews with eight experts from six different organizations; the

expert fields represented in this consultation were communication arts, digital media, and public
authorities involved in enhancing media literacy for youths and ordinary citizens. Organizations

consulted were Child Online Protection Action Thailand (COPAT), Ministry of Social Development

and Human Security; Office of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission, Ministry

of Digital Economy and Society; IT Management, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University;

Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission ( NBTC) ; non-

government organizations; and youth organizations. Consultation was done to improve indicators

on social media literacy for youths in democratic society and to ensure that all indicators have
inclusive content, are up-to date, and fit with the current situation and Thai context.

Concerning the first draft of this research, 14 indicators on social media literacy were

developed. After interviews with experts, 11 indicators were added in based on the expert
recommendations. As a result, there are 25 social media literacy indicators in total. These

indicators are classified in to two groups: “receiving information” consists of 8 indicators and

“sending information” consists of 17 indicators. For “receiving information” present communication

skills consist of the ability to get access, analyze, and evaluate including perceiving right, civic

duty, and responsible for the law. For “sending information” present communication and creation

skills, consist of concern about citizen awareness, ability to ensure that individuals properly use

social media, ability to understand rights, self-duty, and responsible for the law, respectively.

This research created a social media literacy test as a youth social media literacy

measurement tool to be used in future research. The test has 26 multiple choice questions. Each

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