Key takeaways:
- Gen Z’s political views have been largely shaped by the news and media (60%), personal experiences (57%), family and friends (50%), and social media (44%).
- Though many share the same views as their parents, 13% admit that their political views are a source of conflict within their families.
- When it comes to Gen Z, politics is a topic that many would rather avoid. Some 28% prefer to keep their views private, while 14% have lied about their political preferences to avoid conflict.
- Despite their outspoken views on social issues such as climate change and equality, 10% of Gen Z voters don’t believe their civic engagement makes a difference, while 24% have doubts.
We all know what’s up when it comes to Gen Z values and morals—everyone matters, and so does the planet, work-life balance is a must, and we should all be striving for something better. But what about Gen Z’s political affiliation?
Still new to politics, Edubirdie surveyed 2,000 young people on their attitudes towards politics to grasp Gen Z voting trends, the influences shaping their ideologies, and why so many don’t seem to care.
TikTok, tweets, and trends: What influences Gen Z political views?
What has shaped Gen Z voting trends? For the most part, the same factors that convinced the generations before them. Some 60% say the news and media influenced their beliefs, 42% cite education, and 57% point to personal experiences.
However, with Gen Z spending more time online than any other generation, the internet has become a battleground for political campaigns targeting the next generation of voters—and to great effect, with 44% admitting social media has shaped their social and political beliefs.
Gen Z for change: The young voters challenging political conformity
Gen Z isn’t known for following the status quo. Just because the media, school board, or their favorite influencer tells them to think a certain way doesn’t mean they will.
While it’s common for political beliefs to pass down the family tree, that often isn’t the case when it comes to Gen Z voting habits. While 70% say their views align with their parents’ at least somewhat, 13% admit they don’t see eye to eye.
Is Gen Z more conservative than those before them? That depends. For Gen Z voters, it’s not about picking a side; it’s about picking the candidate who will best serve their country and align with their views—and that’s always subject to change. Constant striving for self-improvement and not afraid to admit when they’re wrong, 47% say their political views have drastically shifted in the past, so when it comes to Gen Z voting, 2024 might be a red year, while 2028 might be blue.
Filtered views: An outspoken generation unwilling to talk politics
The young generation is best known for being vocal and taking a stand on important issues such as climate change and equality. For Gen Z, protest and activism are part of the parcel.
But when it comes to politics? Not so much. In fact, 28% of Gen Zers prefer to keep their political views private, while 51% are only willing to discuss their voting preferences with friends and family.
While Gen Zers tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves when it comes to their feelings and emotions, voting is a different matter entirely, with 28% admitting to having lied about their views in the past. While 9% have done so to impress their friends or a crush, the most common reason is to avoid conflict—with 14% having been dishonest to dodge disagreements.
Generation disconnected: The disillusionment with political engagement
Gen Z voting statistics show that young people are less likely to vote than older demographics globally. Yet, this disconnect between Gen Z and politics is no indication that they aren’t interested.
The issue? Younger voters are more skeptical and less optimistic about the future, and voting can often feel like choosing between a bad candidate and a worse one. With belief in the political system fast eroding, 10% of Gen Zers already believe that their civic engagement—voting, protesting, campaigning, and volunteering—makes no difference, while another 24% are beginning to show disillusionment.
This young generation has already proven their willingness to fight for what’s right and push for a better future, but how will Gen Z change the world if they lose faith in their ability to change it?
Methodology: The data in this report derives from a survey conducted by EduBirdie. The survey was launched in October 2024. In total, 2,000 people in the US in the Gen Z demographic were surveyed, and all respondents took the full survey. All genders and ethnicities were included in the study.
