A new poll reveals that many British teenagers are anxious about their future and uncertain about voting in the upcoming general election. Research by the children’s commissioner found that 28% of 13 to 17-year-olds were undecided on which party to support, while 20% were unsure if they would vote, and 11% said they would not vote. Nine in ten young people expressed concerns about housing, finances, academic achievement, and global conflicts.
Pip Sayers, youth programme manager at The Politics Project, notes that there are few spaces for young people to engage in meaningful political debate. “We need to help young people see how political decisions affect the things they care about,” she says. To spark interest, parents can start by discussing issues their teenagers already care about, such as football or climate change, and linking them to politics.
Sayers suggests using local maps to ask teenagers about places they avoid and why, encouraging them to think about local issues. Talking about news and asking open-ended questions can also help. “Let them lead the conversation and express their opinions,” she advises. Creating a space where they feel heard is crucial.
It is important to allow disagreements and avoid shutting down conversations. Sayers recommends teasing out ideas and researching together rather than proving them wrong. Parents can direct teenagers to age-appropriate news sources like First News or news organisations’ social media accounts on Instagram and TikTok, and encourage critical thinking about information sources.
Registering to vote is another key step. Sayers notes that young people can register up to two years before they are eligible to vote. Finally, she suggests asking teenagers to recall times they acted on their principles, such as helping a friend, to show they already have the power to make change.
