Author: Chloe Schuber, Research & Operations Assistant : Strengthening Democracy Desk
Traditional democratic systems, such as those in the US, UK, and India, often marginalise youth voices due to a complex interplay of cultural factors. Older demographics tend to dominate policymaking and shape the issues that receive the most attention in elections. Traditional political structures are often slow to adapt to the evolving needs and perspectives of newer generations, therefore, young people frequently feel disenfranchised and disconnected. Limited access to and influence over mainstream political channels further reinforces this sense of exclusion. Over the past decade however, digital platforms have reshaped youth engagement with politics, from self-education to empowering them towards action. This has facilitated the creation of online communities and movements which allow young people’s voices to be heard at an unprecedented scale. Tangible policy changes are a key objective in these movements whose online activism translates into real-world impact. This exponential increase in youth engagement raises the question:
Can digital engagement empower youth to overcome these barriers and drive meaningful policy-level impact?
Firstly, it is clear young people are using and engaging in digital activism increasingly. Digital tools are empowering youth mobilisation. The #NeverAgain movement exemplifies this. Following the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD) shooting in Parkland, Florida, twenty students united to create a survivor-led movement. This group toured the US, encouraging young people to vote in the 2018 mid-term elections, demanding legislative action on gun control, specifically targeting the National Rifle Association (NRA). The March for Our Lives, organised by Never Again MSD, saw thousands protesting across the United States and internationally. Social media was instrumental in disseminating information and raising awareness; #MarchForOurLives was used 3.6 million times, and over seven thousand tweets targeted the NRA’s social media account. Individuals were mobilised through these events, both in person and on platforms like Twitter and Instagram. The MSD Public Safety Act, passed in Florida in March 2018, included increased funding for school security and raising the minimum age for gun purchase from 18 to 21. The raw emotion conveyed by the survivors through social media generated widespread awareness, leading to increased gun regulation in Florida, despite the NRA’s strong lobbying presence and ties to the Republican majority in the state legislature. Youth-led digital activism translated online momentum into state-level legislative change.
Secondly, it is important to understand the challenges in youth representation and how to empower this demographic towards meaningful change. These challenges are primarily cultural, as educational attainment and experience are typically seen as prerequisites for political influence, serving as indicators of credibility, competence, and leadership skills. Young people often feel excluded from politics due to a lack of representation and the limited attention that major political parties pay to this demographic. Apathy must be addressed. In the UK, for example, youth-led organisations are demonstrating that change is possible. My Life My Say (MLMS) aims to empower young people from underrepresented communities to participate in UK decision-making processes. Since 2013, they have reached over six million young people through various innovative initiatives designed to bridge this gap. Their initiatives include Democracy Cafes, with over 700 sessions reaching over 40,000 people, providing forums for discussion on local issues. They also host the Next Gen Youth Summit, bringing together leaders, activists, and academics to engage on key subjects; organised mass mobilisation for National Voter Registration Day, registering just under half a million people; and founded the Give an X campaign to encourage young people to become more informed and politically active, starting with voting.
Thirdly, policy change through activism is occurring globally, not just in Western countries. Digital platforms are transforming youth activism, enabling young people to address systemic issues such as discrimination or inequality and demand accountability. While India has a younger population than Western countries, governance remains led by older generations due to deeply rooted political and societal structures. The nationwide protests following the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape in India highlight how digital tools drove meaningful reforms led by youth. The rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman, later named Nirbhaya (‘fearless’), in Delhi sparked widespread outrage. Social media platforms not only amplified survivor stories but also became crucial tools for organising protests and pressuring policymakers. This case, one of many highlighting gender violence and systemic neglect, resonated nationally. The widespread protests led to government commitments to improve women’s safety in India. Across states, measures such as 24/7 helplines, stricter penalties for sexual crimes, the criminalisation of stalking and voyeurism under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act of 2013, and the establishment of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) to expedite sexual offence trials were introduced. Under the Nirbhaya Fund, hundreds of CCTV cameras were installed across Delhi, and panic buttons were installed on buses to alert emergency services. This case was a landmark example of online mobilisation leading to legal, infrastructural, and cultural changes. Digital activism can amplify individual cases, transforming them into resonant national messages, empowering victims of systemic injustice or endangerment. Digital tools can trigger significant shifts in mentalities and values.
Finally, this empowering and meaningful engagement cannot occur without prior preparation and education for young people. Policy makers are crucial in equipping them with the necessary tools and systems to communicate their needs and demands for change. Across democracies, both top-down opportunities, such as formal platforms for youth voices to be heard, and bottom-up readiness, starting with education are necessary to further this engagement. Platforms to develop digital literacy coupled with civic skills would allow young people to maximise the impact and make their needs heard through activism. Digital activism allows for more organised and impactful action, consolidating the common and key demands of specific groups. The UK Youth Parliament exemplifies a digital platform providing youth representation. Over a million votes were cast in its 2018 elections, representing a 20% turnout of the 11-18 year old population. While insufficient to fully represent all young people, and catering to those aged 11 to 18, it nonetheless demonstrates innovative initiatives to empower future generations of leaders.
The world is at the cusp of a revolution in youth engagement in politics through digital activism. As our digital lives increasingly shape how we understand and learn, systemic barriers to policy change and education are being broken down. To create a more inclusive and forward-thinking democracy, various institutions and sectors should take action. Governments and businesses wishing to make a social impact could, and should, invest in youth-led digital initiatives and establish mechanisms for sustained youth participation, including spaces for dialogue and understanding the underlying problems to collaboratively develop solutions. Educators in primary, secondary and further education should integrate digital literacy and civic education into their curricula: youth cannot effectively participate in digital activism if they are misinformed or face barriers to using digital tools. Young people should continue to leverage existing and mainstream platforms in order to promote engagement and translate it into actionable policies. The future of democracy has always depended on the younger generation’s ability to understand, engage with, and adapt the existing system. Young adults must be further integrated into current innovation efforts through collaboration and education to build a better and more sustainable future.
