Engaging the Youth: Why We’re Bringing Politics to YouTube

Bridging the Gap for Young Voters

Understanding why young people often refrain from voting is crucial. Many feel their vote won’t impact issues they care about, while others lack the confidence due to insufficient information. Through our exploration, we discovered additional insights.

Young people are often disenchanted with the political elite and aren’t swayed by celebrity endorsements. They prefer authentic voices—especially from peers. This aligns with our knowledge of their core concerns: cost of living, the NHS, and housing—topics politicians frequently address. Yet, young voters feel alienated by political communication and distrustful of MPs. Consequently, policy information often gets lost in translation between Westminster and young people.

The Role of YouTube

To bridge this divide, we need a neutral party to simplify political information. This is where YouTube plays a pivotal role. We’ve partnered with 10 influential YouTubers to tackle the top ten issues identified by young people in a poll conducted with our partners. Each week, leading up to the voter registration deadline, a new video will dissect how these issues affect young people and outline party policies.

YouTubers, often recognized for entertainment, also engage with current events and youth challenges, sparking conversations across platforms. In essence, politics is already present on YouTube. Our collaborators are merely connecting young people’s concerns with the power of their vote.

For more insights and to join the movement, visit our Swing the Vote Campaign.

Further Reading

• Voting 101 - Your Ultimate Guide to Voting in the Next Election
• Swing the Vote: Young People DO Care About Being Heard at Elections
• Three Million Youth Votes Up for Grabs
• The Gap Between the Rich and Poor

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