New research reveals only one in ten 8–17-year-olds believe that
politicians always or often focus on the needs of young people
when making decisions.
But 88% of young people believe it is important to have a say in
the decisions politicians make about public life.
As UK charities launch first mass-scale election for children,
young people say the issues they care about the most are safety
and mental health.
New research from the UK’s top youth and education organisations
have revealed that only one in ten 8–17-year-olds believe that
politicians always or often focus on the needs of young people
when making decisions.
The polling by Opinium – which was commissioned by a coalition
including Save the Children, NCS (National Citizen Service), ACT
(Association for Citizenship Teaching), Young Citizens and The
Politics Project - found that over half (57%) of those surveyed
expressed that they feel politicians rarely or never listen to
them, whilst almost nine in ten young people believe it’s
important to have a say in the decisions that politicians make.
The findings mark the launch of ‘Our Generation. Our Vote’ - the
largest of its kind election for children and young people, which
will give under 18-year-olds across England and Wales the
opportunity to cast their vote through their school or youth
group for political candidates in their constituencies, with
results to be announced ahead of the General Election later this
year. The project will be run through schools and youth groups
and aims to teach young people about politics and democracy,
whilst also carving out an important space for young voices ahead
of the general election.
As parties from across the political divide prepare to set out
their stall in their election manifestos, young people revealed
that safety and mental health are the most important issues
affecting them. Over half (56%) of those surveyed selected safety
as their top issue with a particular focus on bullying and safety
at school. This was followed by mental health (46%) and social
media (38%).
More than a fifth of children listed the cost of things, with 68%
of those young people worried about the cost of groceries and
over half (58%) concerned about bills such as heating. More than
a fifth of young people also cited climate change as one of the
most important issues affecting children and young
people.
Darcy, 16, from Newcastle and Maddy, 16, from Devon, took part in
Save the Children’s Potential
Not Poverty campaign last year and hope to cast their ballot
in the ‘Our Generation. Our Vote’ election. This year, they are
supporting the election for children and are excited to have the
opportunity to use their voices to influence political decision
makers.
Maddy said:
“There is a stigma around children taking part and having a voice
in politics. Often adults don’t listen to what we have to
say.
Young people’s opinions do matter, and we need to be
heard.
I am excited that through ‘Our Generation. Our Vote’ children are
getting the chance to tell politicians about the issues that
matter to us and show adults that young people care about the
future.”
Darcy said:
“Younger generations inherit what adults decide so I think it is
really important that young people have a say in decisions that
will affect our future.
Children see and experience things in a different way to adults.
Our perspectives are important. Currently it feels like our
politicians don’t represent us. We want more younger people in
politics and politicians to take the time to listen to what we
have to say.”
Meg Briody, Head of Child and Youth Participation at Save
the Children said:
“This research reveals how little young people feel listened to
by our nation’s politicians- and that needs to change. Children
have strong opinions about the society they live in, and it’s up
to adults to make sure we listen and address their wants and
needs.
“We are delighted to be working with so many expert organisations
across the child rights, youth democracy and education sectors,
as well as engaging with major political parties themselves,
to bring this project to life. It’s fantastic to see the huge
appetite for demystifying politics and increasing young people’s
political literacy, which is crucial for engaging future
generations of voters.”
The ‘Our Generation. Our Vote’ coalition will be engaging with
all major political parties in England and Wales throughout the
project, to support them in the delivery of child-friendly
manifestos and other resources, so that young people have access
to the same information as adults ahead of the election. A big
focus for the project will be on reaching young people from
under-represented communities in politics who might be less
likely to vote in the future.
About the survey:
The survey has been conducted by Opinium on a nationally
representative sample of 2,000 8-17-year-olds in England and
Wales between 21st-26th February 2024.
The survey was co-funded by the NCS (National Citizen Service)
and Our Generation. Our Vote. Coalition.
