Rising Engagement in Politics & Policy Among Young Americans, But Questions Remain
Can Young People Translate Their Energy Into Influence
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Donald Trump’s first months in office elicited a strong and negative response from a large majority of America’s youth. Many of the stances that Trump campaigned on (stricter immigration controls, climate change skepticism) stand diametrically opposed to the preferences of most young people. Nearly two-thirds of young Americans disapprove of the Trump presidency.
Many of the stances that Trump campaigned on stand diametrically opposed to the preferences of most young people.
And these same young people — especially self-identified liberals — are not waiting to see how his presidency plays out to take action. They are actively resisting by joining organized protests at nearly three times the rate observed in 2016 and are using technology at increased rates to discuss politics, sign petitions, and encourage others to take action.
Although the earliest data available to DoSomething.org and DoSomething Strategic (formerly TMI Strategy) says young people have consistently viewed the government as not caring about them, the recent response of young citizens — increased interest in politics, increased opinion formation, increased civic participation — bodes well for the future American democracy and how it will attend to young people’s needs and preferences.
The response of young citizens bodes well for the future American democracy and how it will attend to young people’s needs and preferences.
The weariness seen in the election cycle — flat turnout, depressed enthusiasm for major party candidates — increased in the months after Trump took office. But for the first time in recent history, young people are reporting increased rates of civic participation, turning their dissatisfaction into the beginnings of political power.
The Zeitgeist of renewed engagement among young Americans has the potential to shift the national debate on issues, shape policy, and influence elections.
This nascent political climate also raises many questions. Will a new youth consensus emerge, or will young people splinter into more factions? The seeds of both are present.
Will young moderates move from disapproval to resistance? Or would further acts of terrorism or economic weakness cause young moderates to align with conservative youth?
How long can the increased civic participation sustain itself?
Will politicians acknowledge the youth consensus by moving their positions?
And can young Americans translate their present energy into increased influence in coming elections?
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Research & Editorial Team
Jeff Bladt, Chief Data Officer, DoSomething.org
Nick McCormick, Data and Survey Research Analyst, DoSomething.org
Keri Goff, Creative Director, DoSomething.org
Meredith Ferguson, Managing Director, TMI Strategy
2017 Polling Methodology:
The survey was distributed to individuals ages 13–25 across the United States and its outlying territories. The final sample includes 581 observations. Results presented here are reported post-weighting, meaning that the opinions and actions of 13-year-old females are just as well represented as those of 25-year-old males. Assuming a population size of approximately 45,000,000 13–25 year olds nationwide, a sample size of 581 at a 95% confidence level allows for a 4.07% margin of error.
2016 Polling Methodology:
The survey was distributed to individuals ages 13–25 across the United States and its outlying territories. Prior to analysis, the data was cleaned and weighted as follows:
• Individuals with completion times of under 5 minutes were excluded from the results.
• Individuals younger than 13 years of age or older than 25 years of age were excluded from the results.
• Weights were applied to create equal representations across gender and age.
The final sample includes 3,305 observations. Results presented here are reported post-weighting, meaning that the opinions and actions of 13-year-old females are just as well represented as those of 25-year-old males. Assuming a population size of approximately 45,000,000 13–25 year olds nationwide, a sample size of 3,305 at a 95% confidence level allows for a 1.7% margin of error.
About DoSomething.org
DoSomething.org is the largest tech company exclusively for young people and social change. We’re activating 5.5 million young people (and counting!) to make positive change, online and off, in every US area code and in over 131 countries. When you join DoSomething, you join something bigger than yourself. You team up with the young people who have clothed half of America’s youth in homeless shelters. And cleaned up 3.7 million cigarette butts from the streets. And run the largest youth-led sports equipment drive in the world. And more! You’ve got the power and the passion to make an impact — we’ll help you get it done. Welcome to DoSomething. Let’s Do This.
About TMI Strategy
TMI is a strategy consultancy that uncovers insights about young people to develop creative solutions that drive social change. Fueled by DoSomething.org’s proprietary data from millions of young people involved in hundreds of cause initiatives, we uncover what motivates young people to connect with companies and causes they care about. Not your typical agency, every project TMI takes on has positive impact on people, the planet, or both — and 100% of TMI’s profits support DoSomething.org. For more information, visit tmistrategy.org.
