Before coming back to campus for the new semester, I visited Chicago amid the hustle and bustle of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Red, white and blue flags were hoisted along house facades and hotel banisters, security and police officers skirted streets and building entrances, TVs everywhere broadcasted political figures speaking in front of huge crowds at the United Center.
Naturally, being amidst it all, I followed the DNC scrupulously. During the day I would read articles zealously, anticipating the speeches to come that night; in the evenings I would listen to the most eagerly-awaited political figures, followed by analysis and commentary from reporters. The mere thriller-like nature of the 2024 presidential race began to captivate me and continues to keep me engaged. Yet when I talk to my peers, I struggle to find the same interest—some hadn’t followed the DNC, others didn’t even know it had happened.
There is no doubt that many young people are involved in politics—we don’t have to look any further than the leaders of movements like Black Lives Matter and Climate Justice, or advocates in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Meanwhile, social media has become a spirited debate floor for young adults to voice their opinions. The number of political organizations and clubs across colleges like Case Western Reserve University speak to an interested and politically well-versed community of “Gen Zers” and “millennials.”
Still, according to data from Statista on voter turnout amongst 18-29 year olds in U.S. presidential elections, a little over half of young people voted in the 2020 presidential race— and four years earlier, only a meager 44% participated in the election. Thus, a question keeps on resurfacing: Why aren’t more young people involved in politics?
It is hardly an understatement to say we find ourselves in the thick of some troubling, turbulent and teetering times. Young adulthood is currently being marked by two major armed conflicts with death tolls soaring, and the U.S. democratic system is slipping away from its position as a world leader into a messy battleground—left to the devices of radical polarization, disinformation and the pursuit of personal interests along with an unwillingness to find compromise. The Jan. 6 insurrection on the Capitol brought a faltering democracy to the brink of disaster, and we may have to brace ourselves for the ruthless aftermath of this year’s elections. All this considered, the reason for low political engagement becomes more clear then: Why would any young adult confronted with this “swamp” on a day-to-day basis want to tread through these murky, flaw-infested waters?
To add insult to injury, young adults are growing up on a planet where habitability is becoming increasingly jeopardized. With a bleak forecast about climate change, it comes as no surprise that waves of hopelessness wash over young people and deter them from politics altogether.
Yet it’s an oversimplification to label the troubling political circumstances of the 21st century—and the despair that unequivocally follows—as the only reasons for a lack of civic engagement among the youth.
The underlying disengagement in politics comes, quite frankly, from a place of apathy. With the rise of the internet, the information we consume and where we consume it has been redefined entirely. Rather than listening to the radio or watching TV, we find a conglomerate of content at our fingertips—a mere click away, lodged in apps like Instagram and TikTok or in the boundless, seemingly all-knowing Google search engine. Entertainment, sports, celebrity gossip, culture and health are among the most popular topics that concern the youth these days. When subjected to social media’s intricate AI algorithm machinery, it comes as no surprise that young people are consuming more of the same content—while neglecting other information: like news and current events.
In an age where social media has become a fuming amalgam of political disinformation, it is hard for young people to know what to trust, let alone take anything seriously at all. Thus, it becomes imperative for older generations—be it family members, teachers, older colleagues or mentors—to guide political newcomers through the process of getting involved. It starts with showing younger generations where and how to find good journalism, and extends to helping them understand complicated policy conditions and how to register to vote. It can be daunting to navigate a cumbersome political system alone, yet with active examples of political engagement, much of the stress and anxiety can be circumvented.
Young people can take matters into their own hands, too. Getting into politics doesn’t take much—tune into the “Up First” podcast by NPR, watch the Obamas’ speeches from the DNC, survey the Sept. 10 presidential debate or read a credible news article between classes instead of scrolling through Instagram. The opportunities are out there. We just need to summon the determination to seek them out and take advantage.
Why does all this matter? Well, young people are the future that will support the generations that follow. It is their duty to confront and overcome the trials and tribulations of the next century, a responsibility that relies on an educated, interested and politically active public. That’s not to say everyone must run for office or become the world’s next political activist. However, being an informed citizen is essential to sparking constructive discourse, practicing our fundamental freedoms and exercising our right to vote—democracy will thank us later.