Why Gen-Z’s Online Politics Matter
- Literat and Kligler-Vilenchik explore Gen-Z’s political engagement online.
- Their book discusses how social media impacts young voters’ opinions.
- TikTok has become a primary news source for almost 40% of youth.
- The Harris campaign’s TikTok strategy illustrates new political outreach.
- Political expression on social media can lead to increased polarization.
Gen Z’s online engagement reshapes political discourse
Understanding the political landscape shaped by Gen Z is crucial, especially as they navigate social media in expressing their thoughts and beliefs. This generation’s engagement online can sometimes overwhelm the critics who focus solely on the negative impacts of these platforms. However, scholars like Ioana Literat from Teachers College and Neta Kligler-Vilenchik from Hebrew University view this participation as vital, particularly through their lens of youth political expression, explored in their new book, “Not Your Parents’ Politics.” This insightful exploration dives deep into how nearly 40% of young people are sourcing their news through platforms like TikTok and reshaping what political discourse looks like.
Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword for Politics
The influences of social media on young voters are extensive, providing both a platform and a medium for creative political expression that can be both humorous and insightful. Kligler-Vilenchik observed a shift beginning in 2016, illustrating how youth use these channels to voice political opinions, which may not always fit traditional definitions of civic engagement. Their book underscores why it’s essential to take these voices seriously and pushes for a re-examination of what constitutes a “good” citizen in today’s complex political environment. Literat emphasizes their belief in the agency of young people, stating, “We truly believe in young people’s political voice, in their agency and in their collective power.”
From Online Expression to Real-World Engagement
However, as engaging as social media can be, the reality is that it also fosters deeper divides in political opinions. While the Kamala Harris campaign’s efforts to reach Gen Z through TikTok were notable, the actual voter turnouts highlighted a real disconnect. As Literat points out, while social media encourages creative engagement, transforming that enthusiasm into actionable votes is complex. The Harris campaign’s strategy showed an understanding of where younger voters are—online—but also revealed that while they can connect and express themselves there, it doesn’t necessarily translate into traditional political engagement. Therefore, there’s a pressing need to respect and amplify the ways in which young people are engaging politically, rather than dismissing their preferred modes of expression as irrelevant.
In summary, Gen Z’s online political expression is not just a passing trend; it’s shaping the future narrative of politics, even as it reveals existing fractures in civic engagement. The work of Literat and Kligler-Vilenchik in their book presents a call to action: to acknowledge and uplift the voices of young people rather than undermine them. Their research suggests a need to bridge the gap between online expression and offline action, proving that understanding youth engagement is imperative for fostering a healthier democratic process. For those keen on diving deeper into this timely topic, “Not Your Parents’ Politics” offers valuable insights for the 2024 elections and beyond.
