Most children can’t name an MP and fifth receive political information on TikTok – survey

On By Rgal Nv

Some 2,000 young people aged 8 to 17 were asked about their political awareness as part of a coalition organizing a children’s vote ahead of the general election.

The poll, carried out earlier this year before the election was called, found that 70% of young people surveyed did not know the name of their local MP and half could not say which political party their MP belonged to.

According to the results of the study, around 39% of young people say they do not understand what politicians do.

Opinium’s February survey in England and Wales found that just over half (51%) of young people aged eight to 17 cite family as a source of political information, and 41% quote television news.

Nearly a quarter (24%) said they received political information on YouTube, while 20% responded on TikTok.

The mass election for children, launched by a coalition of charities as part of the Our Generation, Our Vote campaign in March, now has around 80,000 young people under the age of 18 registered to take part.

Results are expected to be announced on June 28 – a week before the general election.

The coalition – which includes Save the Children, Girlguiding and Young Citizens – aims to make political education accessible to young people through “credible, unbiased, curriculum-linked resources in participating schools and youth settings, providing focus on people from marginalized communities. “.

Meg Briody, head of children and young people’s participation at Save the Children UK, said: “With three weeks until the general election, now is a crucial time for children’s voices to be heard.

“Our research findings reveal the extent to which young people currently feel neglected by politicians. The survey shows us the need for political education projects like “Our Generation”. Our Vote” to engage young people in democracy and our political processes.

“We have teamed up with some of the UK’s leading youth organizations to create an opportunity to raise the voices of young people, particularly those who don’t feel represented in political spaces. »