44% of Generation Z say social media influences their political opinions

In the long-awaited electoral race In this year’s US election, several parties have invested more in reaching younger audiences, especially Generation Z, in an attempt to win more votes. However, this may be more complicated now, given this generation’s increasingly complex relationship with politics and civic engagement.

This is because, although some members of the Generation Z They may vote less than older people, others are very committed to political activism. However, others are rapidly losing faith in the political system, making it more difficult for parties to win them over.

The growing popularity of social media has also further complicated this outreach, forcing political parties to adapt their strategies and messages accordingly.

According to the National Center for Social Research’s Society Watch 2024 report, Generation Z is likely to make up 25% of the electorate by 2030, making it even more crucial for parties to appeal to this demographic by then.

a new study conducted by EduBirdieamong 2,000 young people in the US, looks at how Generation Z votes, why many of them no longer want to do so, and what impacts their political beliefs.

The weight of social networks in their political tendency

According to the report, the 44% of Generation Z said social media most influenced their social and political opinions. This may not be too surprising, as a large percentage of Generation Z also receives financial and career advice from a variety of social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Avery Morgan, communications director at EduBirdie, said in an email to Euronews: “I would say that the younger generation feels lost in a world that seems out of control. This sense of uncertainty underpins Generation Z’s complex relationship with civic engagement.

“Our research shows that Generation Z is struggling to see how their vote makes a difference in today’s society. They are not uninformed or disconnected; They are adaptable and open to changing their points of view.

“With social media influencing Generation Z so much, we have seen a dramatic shift in the behavior of American politicians online to capture their attention. donald trump joined TikTok in June, followed by Harris less than two months later. Additionally, for the first time, the Democratic National Convention invited two hundred content creators this year.”

What influences the political opinions of Generation Z?

Aside from social media, other important influences on political opinions appear to be personal experiences, the news, the media, family and friends.

He 60% of respondents to the EduBirdie study said their political opinions were influenced by news and the media, while the 57% it was for personal experiences. Friends and family shaped the political beliefs of 50% of respondents, while for 42% of people, education had the greatest impact on political opinions.

26% of respondents said that living abroad or traveling had influenced their political beliefs, while for 14% of people it was celebrities. Generation Z has also been very vocal in challenging and addressing the status quo, with one in seven respondents saying they disagree with their parents’ political views.

47% of respondents also admitted that they had significantly changed their political beliefs: 11% said they did it all the time, while 36% said they had changed some opinions.

According to the Society Watch 2024 report, Gen Z voters are also much more likely to share their strong beliefs through acts of civil disobediencel than other demographic groups.

59% of Generation Z also believe the government should be responsible for the entire adult social care bill, while 42% are more in favor of welfare than other demographic groups, according to the report above. This is compared to 34% of millennials. 80% of Generation Z also believed that cannabis should be legalized.

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Does Generation Z otherwise stay quiet about politics?

However, while Gen Z is very vocal about a range of other issues, such as climate change, inclusion, equality and work-life balance, they can be much more timid about speaking very openly about their own political beliefs.

According to the EduBirdie survey, one in four respondents do not share their political opinions with anyone, while 51% only share them with family and friends. 1 in 3 members of Generation Z also admitted that they had lied about their political opinions.

Of them, 14% said it was to avoid conflict, while 5% said they did it to get a job. 6% lied about this to fit in with their friends, while 3% did it to impress their crush.

10% of respondents also said they avoided talking about politics with their parents to keep the peace, while 3% admitted that the topic has already caused distancing and tension.

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10% of GenZers also felt that their civic engagement, which includes protesting, voting, volunteering, and campaigning, does not make a difference. Another 24% of respondents also had doubts, while 66% still felt their civic engagement efforts were making a difference.

What about the idea of ​​the future?

This is mainly because several Gen Z voters are slowly losing their faith in the future and in the ability of political parties to create a better one, in the face of overwhelming economic and geopolitical issues such as high inflation, higher interest rates. high, the layoffs and wars.

This has made it much more difficult for members of Generation Z to achieve the same quality of life and achieve the same goals as previous generations, such as buy a house, save for retirement and keep the same job for several years.

However, others are still clinging to hope and making their voices heard: 22% of EduBirdie respondents say they share their political beliefs on social media. 12% also revealed that they are involved in community work and activism, and the same percentage also said that they participated in all political discussions.

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