ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses focus group interviews with young Latinos to learn the extent of and how they use social and digital media for news and information, and to engage in political participation. It explores the familial role of Latino millennials’ political opinion leadership in the current polarized political climate. Translating language, social, and cultural norms has traditionally been an important role for young Latinos in the US, especially for those whose families have immigrated. Interacting with family was an important part of their social media use, especially those living far from their family circle. Participants predominately used social media outlets and mobile applications to get informed on political issues. The fear of backlash on social media, coupled with using media as their only news source, has deeply affected their political efficacy and has disengaged them from political issues that matter most to them. Millennial Latinos are heavy users of social media.
