The disengagement of youth participation in politics is on the rise with more and more young people forming a growing cynicism regarding electoral politics. 2017’s electoral votes received large media coverage in regards to discussions and posts made by youths nonetheless, figures show older people were still more likely to vote than youths with 54% of 18-24’s in comparison to 71% of 65+ votes coming from the older cohorts (Ipsos MORI, 2017). (See table bellow).
Picture by Ipsos MORI (2017)
Nonetheless, with the rise of technology it is no surprise that social media platforms have taken over the younger generations active participation in politics. Whilst it could be argued that young people are apathetic towards politics, Norris (2003: 2) states that rather, the younger generation may be at the forefront
of those who have adapted to newer forms of political expression, mobilisation and
engagement thus, the problem then is not political apathy, but alienation from the political system (Sloam, 2007: 1). Alternative forms of political expression and engagement are largely based on social media platforms used as both informative regarding political issues, and active in providing a platform of expression and freedom of speech for youths. Examples of social media platforms include, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, utilised to create some degree of security and unity that young people believe cannot be created through politicians manifestos.
So where is the power in youth participation in politics through social media?
This greatly comes from the ability to politically participate in issues that affect individuals everyday lives, via a platform where struggles are addressed as topics of interest. This is contrary to electoral politics where youths are marginalised and out sized by older cohorts. Power also comes from youth participation on media platforms, being representative of their own experiences and perception of democracy (Sloam, 2013: 8) thus, the cause of participation becomes meaningful and guided by each personal experience. This is evident in various movements that have been initiated by youth in hopes of making a difference. For example the #BlackLivesMatter movement was one of the most nation-wide political movements that young people participated in. The hashtag stemmed from Twitter as an American based matter on police’s treatment of Black minority ethnic youths. Although, this was initially an American movement, the subject shortly became one that many other nations participated in through protests, eventually spreading to the UK as a call for change and justice. If you are reading this it is almost guaranteed that this movement is one very familiar to many of you along with various other movements such as, the #WomensMarchMovement and petitions spread by young people going against Brexit. To me it is evident that young people are using these platforms as spaces to feel valued, involved and active. (See table bellow).
Picture by Ipsos MORI (2015)
Alternative forms of political engagement may not influence the proportion of youth whom have already lost interest in politics and cannot be re-engaged, I believe that this is not the point when discussing the power of social media and its influence on youth participation in politics. The focus should shift to the power of the media being both a platform for political institutions to communicate to the youth and being used by youth to find new ways to express their political preferences outside of the confines of traditional political engagement (e.g. voting or joining a political party) (Keating and Melis, 2017:1).
I must make clear that this blog does not set out to suggest that there has been a ‘youthquake’ in political voting, as this would propose that youth voting has increased dramatically during 2017 elections. What I am suggesting is that there has been a surge in youth participation in politics that moves away from conventional forms of politics. Chryssochoou and Barrett (2017:1) argued that this because, the youth might not be attracted to conventional forms such as voting but they could be engaged in politics through different means. I took to Instagram to form my own poll in order to see if such statement is true. The question was ‘What is your preference for engaging in politics?’ The options where ‘social media’ versus ‘electoral voting’. 32 males and females aged 18 to 25 took part in the poll and the findings showed that 75% chose social media as a preference versus 25% who chose electoral voting.
Instagram poll post by Shoreh Carter
I have also noticed that many youths engaged in petitions as an alternative means of engaging in politics. A prime example of this is Brexit where one petition would be in the limelight and I experienced an array of young people come together for another EU Referendum to commence. More than 2.5 million people signed a petition calling for a second EU referendum, after the vote to leave (BBC NEWS, 2016). This is one example of alternative politics being combined with the popularity of social media platforms as foundations of change.
It is clear that not only does social media power youths political participation, but youth find power in politics through social media. Social media is used to address and freely express issues of interest believed to effect youths and increase chances of creating equality and peace. Through using our media platforms we are able to collectively voice our opinions in areas of politics where youth want a voice but, not one that is politely listened to and then dismissed.
Bibliography
BBC News. (2016). EU referendum petition signed by more than 2.5m. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36629324 [Accessed 15th February 2018].
Chryssochoou, X. and Barrett, M. (2017). Civic and Political Engagement in Youth. Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, [online] p.1. Available at: https://content.ebscohost.com/ContentServer.asp?EbscoContent=dGJyMNHr7ESep7Y4xNvgOLCmr1Cep65Sr6a4S7OWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGus0i1rK9JuePfgeyx43zx1d%2BI5wAA&T=P&P=AN&S=L&D=pdh&K=2017-57028-002 [Accessed 15th February 2018].
Keating, A. and Melis, G. (2017). Social media and youth political engagement: Preaching to the converted or providing a new voice for youth?. The British Journal of Politics and International Relations, [online] 19(4), p.1. Available at: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1369148117718461 [Accessed 15th February 2018].
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Sloam, J. (2007). Rebooting Democracy: Youth Participation in Politics in the UK. Parliamentary Affairs, [online] 60(4), p.1. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/pa/article-abstract/60/4/548/1581141?redirectedFrom=fulltext [Accessed 12th February 2018].
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Ipsos MORI. (2017). How the voters voted in the 2017 election. [online] Available at: https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/2017-06/how-britain-voted-in-the-2017-election_2.pdf [Accessed 12 Feb. 2018].
Ipsos MORI. (2015). Spinning the election: Who is setting the agenda in the UK general election 2015. [online] Available at: https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/migrations/en-uk/files/Assets/Docs/Polls/kings-social-media-2015-charts.pdf [Accessed 15 Feb. 2018].