Unlocking the Secret to Youth Politics: How Peer Involvement Holds the Key

The involvement of young people in politics is essential for the future of our democracy. However, a significant number of them seem disengaged from the political process. The question then arises as to how we can promote youth political engagement. The solution might lie in peer involvement. Recent research from the British Election Study demonstrates that young people are more likely to participate in political activities when their peers and family are politically active as well. But still an evolved form of the original question remains. Youth involvement is higher now than ever before. So what has changed regarding peer involvement in the 21st century as opposed to previous centuries? As a journalist in the field of youth politics, I am aware of the ever-evolving role of social media as a catalytic force for young people's engagement in political affairs. Indeed, the digital realm has proven to be an indispensable tool in empowering the voices of the youth and amplifying their political opinions. The millennial generation and the Gen Z cohort, in particular, have harnessed the power of social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to articulate their views on politics and current events. The fast-paced nature of these platforms has enabled young people to engage with issues that affect their lives and communities, while also providing a forum for them to connect with their peers and influencers who share similar values and beliefs. Hashtags, in particular, have become a powerful tool for galvanising support and raising awareness of political issues, allowing young people to join virtual communities and mobilise around shared causes. For example, the hashtag #MeToo sparked a global movement against sexual harassment and assault, while #BlackLivesMatter gave voice to the struggles of black people against systemic racism and police brutality. Social media has also given young people access to a vast trove of information and news that they might not have otherwise been exposed to. Platforms like Twitter and Facebook allow users to curate their own newsfeeds, creating a personalised experience that caters to their interests and concerns. Those with liberal biases will tend to follow others with similar views, as will those with conservative biases etc. This cultivates a strong sense of unity around their political leanings - encouraging further involvement in politics. Moreover, young people can use social media to fact-check and scrutinise the accuracy of news reports, giving them the tools to be informed and critical citizens. Despite all this, I have realised that while peer involvement can be a powerful tool for engaging young people in politics, it is not without its challenges. For example, the issue of political polarisation. Young people may be more likely to engage in political activities if their peers share similar political views, but this can lead to a tribal approach to politics - as many are not exposed to opposing views. The issue of peer pressure is also prominent. While peer involvement can encourage young people to engage in political activities, it can also create pressure to conform to certain political views or behaviours. This can be particularly challenging for young people who may be unsure of their political beliefs or who feel pressured to conform to the views of their peers. In closing, peer involvement can be used as a tool to encourage the future to engage in political affairs. It is clear that peer involvement holds the key to unlocking the secret to youth politics. By promoting a culture of open-mindedness, diversity, and access to information, we can mitigate the downsides and exploit the upsides of social media and other peer involvement methods. Young people are beginning to harness the power of peer influence to create a better future for our youth and for our country.