The Impact of Technology on Youth Voting

Most of my friends have a Facebook account and a few even have Twitter. While we keep up to date with each other via texts and IM, Facebook tends to be the key to knowing what is going on in our world. If someone has free time or is looking for something to do, they post it on Facebook. They might send a text, but with the new smartphones, Facebook is still their best option. More people can be reached.

It is this idea which politicians are starting to base their campaigns. The recent election found iPhone users able to download election applications to keep them up to date on the latest results for the areas in which they are most interested in. They could also download an app to find out where they need to vote (and I am sure they probably have an app to give them directions to the location too.)

While the youth still don't get out in record numbers to vote (and statistically have never seen numbers compared to their older counterparts) politicians are starting to find ways in which to engage them in government. With issues in the economy, the youth are feeling the repercussions of some of the latest legislation. Health care, bail outs, taxes, and unemployment are all issues which directly effect our young adults. We need to keep engaging them through their choice of media, not ours. As everyone reminds us, the youth are the leaders of tomorrow. If we don't stay in touch with what they are doing and the latest technology in which they are using, they will soon leave us behind.