By Anje Williams
Most young people say social media influences their political beliefs. Beliefs shape our worldview and interpretation of events.
“I’m leftist with a focus on equal rights, a specific focus on equal rights,” said Emma Johnson, NSLC Political Science student.
This is the case especially when it comes to those born between the late ‘90s and early ‘10s, also known as Gen Z. We have grown up with more access to the Internet-and more specifically, social media- than our predecessors. These have shaped many things about our personality, including our political beliefs. Do all Gen Z kids feel the same way or are some of a different mindset?
Nessa Corcoran is an NSLC Political Science student from a very Republican area in upstate New York.
“In upstate New York, a large part of the population leans right.” said Corcoran of her area.
Most young people lean left, but she believes that there might be a slight bias based on her friend group. “I think the younger generation leans radically into civil rights than before.” said Corcoran.
Her main influences are social media and her involvement in politics.
“I think the increased online information is shaping political beliefs around the country.” Corcoran said.
Sana, who asked to be identified by her first name only, is also a Political Science student from Berlington, New Jersey. Her experiences are radically different from Nessa’s. Burlington is a very diverse area and she is exposed to everything, especially in her Government class. “Burlington’s political scene is very diverse,” she said. “You’ll find every political belief possible there.”
Sana is not aware of any political divides in her area and said that Burlington is so diverse that you could only understand it if you were there. Sana’s main influences are her dad, best friend, and social media.
“My dad influenced my political beliefs by giving me a different point of view in things I would have never thought before.” she said.
Kai Boltus offers a precise view of democratic Farmington, Michigan. The area is most left-leaning with many views such as socialism and communism everywhere. He can count the number of conservatives in his grade on his hand. Boltus also comes from a liberal background; his father is extremely far-left and his mother is centrist, which ended up pushing him further left after hearing that rhetoric. He has done research on his beliefs and considers himself well-informed. Boltus identifies as a Democratic socialist. He is also a German citizen and has visited his family several times. He believes the best way to judge a developed country is how they treat the worst off.
“The biggest thing to me is the lack of homelessness[in Germany]. I think that shows the difference between two countries.”