With topics like Black Lives Matter, Covid-19 and climate change gaining worldwide attention in 2020, we have seen a rise in young people feeling more confident about sharing their opinions online.
A new study by Huddersfield-based community organisation Conscious Youth reveals that 71% of young people feel more confident than ever before to speak up about causes they are passionate about online.
The organisation surveyed young people aged 11-25 and it revealed some interesting results that showcase how confident young people are about sharing their views online.
An impressive 71% of those surveyed said they feel more confident now than ever before posting about causes they are passionate about on social media, with over half (55%) saying they regularly share their opinions online.
When asked why they feel more confident, three quarters of young people said they see other people sharing their views online and that it makes them feel empowered to share theirs. Half of those polled think they should be able to post about whatever they want on their social media accounts, and 47% believe it’s important to voice opinions online to help the causes you care about.
Adversely, just over half (51%) said they’re hesitant to share opinions online due to fears of spreading false information, with 32% saying they are nervous of others knowing their personal views.
According to the poll, the most important issues to young people include:
- Racism (91%)
- Black Lives Matter (83%)
- Bullying (69%)
- Poverty (60%)
- Feminism (54%)
- LGBTQ+ Rights (51%)
- Climate Change (37%)
Sophie Simpson, co-founder and CEO of Conscious Youth, said: “It’s inspiring to see so many young people standing up for the causes they care about and being aware of the platforms they have.
“I think that the movements caused by the death of George Floyd and the murder of Sarah Everard in the past 12 months have made the younger generation so much more empowered to speak up and share their opinions and experiences. Social Media platforms have completely changed the way social movements form and grow.”
Serena Johnson, co-founder and CEO of Conscious Youth, added: “Social media is a vital part of life for many young people, it’s inspiring to see them using these platforms to express their opinions on the issues which impact them. Youth activism is surely on the rise and we are yet to see more young leaders driving change in our communities.”
To find out more about the new study go to http://consciousyouth.co.uk/over-70-of-young-people-feel-more-confident-than-ever-sharing-their-views-online/
