To ask the question is to answer it... Statistics Netherlands recently investigated that 4 in 10 young people between the ages of 15 and 18 are moderately to very interested in politics. And recent initiatives such as the climate marches that appealed to politicians were started by young people. Because young people also want to participate in thinking and making decisions about their and our future. An example to illustrate: during the vote on Brexit in England, we saw what happens when only the elderly vote: because the young people did not show up to vote, the elderly opted for a Brexit that many young people are now very unhappy with. . It seems that older people are more cautious and conservative, while young people look more at the possibilities of the future.

It is sometimes said that someone at the age of 16 is not allowed to drink or drive a car, and is therefore not allowed to vote. That seems rather illogical, because what is the connection between being allowed to drink and voting? By the way, young people who have a job also pay taxes? And then it doesn't make sense that you can also participate in discussions and votes, right?

In addition to lowering the voting age, the minister is currently considering a Youth Parliament to involve young people more in politics. A first meeting about this has already taken place. Seems like a nice idea and is already widely organized in municipalities. But it is a kind of pacifier: they are allowed to participate in the discussion for a while, but they are not allowed to participate in the decision-making process. And it is unclear what happens to their input. No, it would be better to lower the voting age, which has the advantage that young people (hopefully) go sooner and continue to go.

And finally, one more question we must ask ourselves. As a communications industry, do we focus sufficiently on young people and what concerns them? Of course, we use vloggers, influencers and channels that appeal to young people. But do we take sufficient account of young people and what concerns them when segmenting target groups and developing and implementing campaigns around social issues? And can we help our politicians and policymakers reach young people when it comes to their future?

This blog was written by: Sybrig van Keep