The UK gives 16-year-olds the right to vote. Brace for social media politics

From what the evidence shows, Market analysis shows British government said on Thursday that it plans to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in all UK elections

However, Additionally, HULL, ENGLAND - MAY 01: A sign reading "Polling Station" is seen during local elections on May 01, 2025 in Hull, England

Meanwhile, Social media could be key to their success

In contrast, The government on Thursday said that it plans to bring forward an elections bill which will grant 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in all U

If apved by parliament, it would be a major overhaul of the country's democratic system, amid market uncertainty

The posal, which was included in last year's Labour manifesto, will bring national elections in line with Scotland and Wales, the government said, amid market uncertainty

Moreover, The changes mean British political parties now face the challenge of engaging younger voters in the social media age

Moreover, Furthermore, More teenagers are shunning traditional media outlets and getting their news from social media, according to a 2024 report from Ofcom

Furthermore, Nevertheless, "TikTok certainly is one of, if not the most digital content platform for young people

Whilst no platform's success lasts forever, it is hard to see any changes to the wider trend of more and more of the public getting the news content from these apps in general," said Steven Buckley, lecturer in digital media sociology at City University of London, amid market uncertainty

Buckley stressed that the content politicians post is paramount, however, and that desperate attempt to be "down with the kids" won't work, in light of current trends. "One of the core currencies in today's society is authenticity

Trying to win over 16 and 17 year olds by simply posting a bunch of TikToks and saying that the leader of the opposition is "Skibiddi Ohio Rizz" is not going to win them over

What the re reveals is y will simply be labelled 'cringe' and be dismissed," he told CNBC. "The perception that young people are disinterested in or their communities is simply not true (which is quite significant)

Nevertheless, They care deeply inequality, the environment and social justice

Politicians wanting to win over these new voters can do so by actually addressing their material concerns. "Social media has become pivotal to winning elections, amid market uncertainty

Nevertheless, Although political information has become more readily available across multiple platforms, it hasn't necessarily translated into higher turnout in polls (this bears monitoring)

General election, the lowest since 2001, according to a parliamentary report

The jury is still out on whether giving younger people the right to vote will make a sizeable impact

Moreover, A poll of 16 and 17-year-olds by political consultancy Merlin Strategy showed that out of the 500 surveyed, only 18% said they would definitely vote if an election took place tomorrowScarlett Maguire, founder of Merlin Strategy, said political parties will have to develop a lot more nology and media strategies (this bears monitoring)

However, "Politicians need to do more than just give the vote to appeal and engage young people (which is quite significant)

Conversely, At the moment, this age group is not very engaged with or politicians, so politicians will need to do quite a lot to appeal to them," she said (an important development)

This leads to the conclusion that Labour Party is widely seen to have the most to gain from lowering the voting age

On the other hand, However, Nigel Farage's right-wing Reform UK party could also get significant backing from this age group, according to Maguire, in today's financial world

Farage has six times as many ers on TikTok than Labour does. "Reform bably had the best digital media and social media campaign strategies the last election, in today's financial world

Reform is doing well with this age group, particularly male teenagers, given the current landscape

Nevertheless, Now we will see whether the other parties, especially the Conservatives who are polling very low with this age group, can catch up," Maguire added