A recent poll by the UK’s Electoral Commission reveals social media is regarded by many young people as trustworthy for political information.
A recent poll conducted by the Electoral Commission indicates that nearly half of young people in the UK trust social media as a source for political information, despite the fear about misinformation. The survey, which encompassed 2,500 individuals aged 11 to 25, revealed that 44 per cent perceive social media as a form of reliable political news.
Among respondents, 50 per cent cited social media as their source for political news, ranking it as the second-highest source, with television leading at 56 per cent. Interestingly, this trend shifts within the 18 to 25-year-old demographic, where social media becomes the most prevalent source, with 59 per cent saying they use these platforms for political updates.
The data shows a significant engagement with TikTok, with 68 per cent of participants saying they had encountered political content on the platform in the past year.
The need for young people to receive accurate information has been underscored by upcoming proposals from the Labour party to lower the voting age to 16. The report suggests that while young people are exposed to political content in various formats, their ability to discern reliable information remains limited. It notes a heightened desire for enhanced democratic education in schools and colleges, with 72 per cent expressing an interest in learning more about elections and political processes.
The survey further revealed that while 74 per cent trust what they learn about politics in school and 78 per cent find their parents a credible source of information, only a third of those aged 11 to 17 had discussed political topics in educational settings within the last year. Furthermore, the study found that merely 31 per cent of young people claim to know “a lot” about governmental operations, with just 34 per cent of older teens expressing an interest in politics.
The report calls attention to the passive consumption of political news, as many young respondents are more likely to absorb information incidentally, such as overhearing discussions rather than actively seeking news. Vijay Rangarajan, chief executive of the Electoral Commission, emphasised the need for robust support systems to prepare young people for civic engagement, particularly as the discourse around extending voting rights to 16-year-olds gains traction.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/yt/yt40/yt410/social-media – This URL supports the claim that social media plays a significant role in distributing political information, especially among young people, and highlights the challenges of misinformation and the need for targeted engagement strategies.
- https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/news-and-views/our-responses-consultations/response-science-innovation-and-technology-committee-call-evidence-social-media-misinformation-and – This URL corroborates the concern about misinformation on social media and its impact on democratic processes, emphasizing the need for transparency and robust moderation policies.
- https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201719/ldselect/ldppdm/106/10609.htm – This URL provides insight into how social media data is used to predict election outcomes and highlights issues with representativeness and echo chambers in online political discourse.
- https://www.americanpressinstitute.org/publications/reports/survey-research/millennials-news/ – This URL supports the idea that younger generations rely heavily on the internet for news, with a significant portion coming from social media platforms like Facebook.
- https://www.idea.int/publications/catalogue/social-media-practical-guide-electoral-management-bodies – This URL offers guidance on how electoral management bodies can effectively use social media to engage young voters and counter misinformation.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent polls and ongoing political discussions, suggesting it is relatively fresh. However, specific dates or recent updates are not provided.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
There is a quote from Vijay Rangarajan, but without further context or an original source, it’s difficult to verify its earliest reference.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a well-known publication, and references the Electoral Commission, which adds credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about young people’s reliance on social media for political news and the concerns about misinformation are plausible and align with broader trends.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh, with credible sources and plausible claims. While some quotes lack verification, the overall reliability of the information is supported by references to reputable entities like the Electoral Commission.
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