The topic of politics tends to be avoided in school settings, with even teachers prohibited from sharing their opinions with students. Nonetheless, despite the thousands of seniors at Francis Lewis High School—some of whom are eligible to vote—the majority aren’t interested in the upcoming election. This lack of interest not only forecasts a low level of student involvement in politics but also leads us to question why students aren’t more interested in the first place. That’s what we set out to find.
Some say the lack of engagement is due to youth or a limited understanding of how political outcomes could affect their futures. Others believe that social media, constantly making memes and jokes about the election, makes it seem insignificant and unimportant. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t discredit the few students who are still interested in participating. However, compared to the many who don’t want to be involved, the gap is significant. It’s crucial that students become more involved, not just at FLHS but at high schools everywhere, as they are the generation that will lead one day.
“I didn’t think I could ever be part of the majority, not realizing that I could actually make up the majority,” said Chloe Lee, a senior who attended a Youth Voters event earlier this year. “I could be one of the voices in the majority, but I hadn’t thought about it like that because I grew up in Whitestone and Flushing, where I was used to different perspectives.”
Many teens use social media to express their opinions, including who they’re supporting and why. For young, newly eligible voters, this can make researching elections challenging, as everyone’s opinions can overwhelm the information they need to make their own informed decisions.
“I feel like social media has made a big impact on everyone’s opinion of the election. I think certain people have supported one side a little too much and have tried to bring down the other candidate in a very negative way, and I don’t agree with that,” said Anastasia Angelopoulou, a senior who is eligible to vote. “That’s also one of the reasons I don’t want to vote—I don’t know if what’s coming out is true or not.”
Social media is proof that every action has a reaction, with every post you like shaping your feed and determining what you see every time you open Instagram or TikTok. It can expose teens to both Republican and Democratic ideas, but by liking just one post, you may stop seeing content from the other side, as the algorithm tailors your feed to your interests. This makes it difficult to form a balanced view when your feed is biased toward a single party.
“In this generation, because the Republican and Democratic parties are so divided, social media has made it worse,” Lee explained. “And because of this, it has impacted my viewpoint—I’m more exposed to Democratic news than Republican news.”
Most teens feel they don’t know what part of the media to trust since much of the content is opinion-based rather than fact-based, unlike traditional news outlets. Reliable facts are what young voters need to make decisions they feel both comfortable and confident in.
“I feel like, since the media has covered so much of both sides, teens don’t know who to trust or which choice is best,” said Angelopoulou when explaining why teens may be uninterested in voting. “Even though there’s a lot of coverage, I don’t think they have enough knowledge to vote, and I don’t think it’s within their interests to do so.”
Although most teens we spoke to said they wouldn’t be voting this year, they expressed confidence that they’ll be more prepared for the next election. They anticipate gaining more knowledge about current issues and feeling more mature—ready to make thoughtful decisions that will shape the future of our country.
“Yes, I think I’ll definitely vote in the next election because I’ll be older and able to make a better, more informed decision,” Angelopoulou said. “Right now, I feel too young to make a choice that will shape the future of this country.”
The feeling of being under-informed about the candidates is common among young voters. This year’s election seems particularly controversial, adding pressure and uncertainty for this generation’s voters.
“Maybe when I get older and understand the issues better,” said Dora Wong, an eligible voter at FLHS. “Nowadays, we’re influenced by social media and friends. Everyone’s talking about the debate and the elections, and as an 18-year-old, I feel influenced by others and unable to form my own judgments.”
Even if you aren’t voting this year due to feeling unprepared or having a clouded judgment, there are still ways to get involved, such as volunteering at polling stations. To prepare for future elections, Lee shared some tips on researching candidates and building confidence in making an informed choice.
“I know it may seem ridiculous, but I’m not saying you have to sit in front of the TV for hours,” Lee said. “Read reliable sources, like The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal, which frequently publish updates about the election. It’s essential to follow how these candidates are planning for America’s future.”
