Social media platforms have fundamentally transformed political communication and democratic participation, particularly among young voters. This study analyzes the impact of social media on democratic discourse through comparative analysis of Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok usage during recent elections in five democracies. We examined 47,000 political posts and conducted surveys with 1,250 users aged 16-22 across India, Belgium, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. Findings reveal that while social media increases political engagement by 34%, it also contributes to echo chambers and misinformation spread. The research provides recommendations for digital literacy education and platform accountability in democratic societies.