Facebook more influential than newspapers in influencing young voters, reveals poll

Facebook is cited as the second most influential media platform in terms of influencing young voters, only beaten by TV, according to a new poll.

Research commissioned by 7stars and conducted by Dipsticks found that traditional media still rules in terms of influencing young voters, with 62% saying TV is the most influential, while Facebook is cited as the second most influential media platform (14%).

Facebook narrowly won against newspapers (13%) while 5% think Twitter had the most influence, with 3% opting for radio.

Fifty-five per cent of 18-24 year-olds would vote online if given the choice with Facebook being the favoured option, revealing the powerful importance of the social tool.

The survey reveals 18-24 year-olds are engaged with the general election with four in five (78%) planning to vote and just 5% saying they ‘don’t care’ about voting.

The poll, carried out between April 17-21 2015, asked young voters who they want to lead the country, with David Cameron coming out on top, ahead of Russell Brand, Boris Johnson, Ed Miliband and Jeremy Clarkson. Only 1% of respondents want Nick Clegg to lead the country, with the Liberal Democrat leader receiving the same number of votes as pop star Beyoncé.

Helen Rose, head of the7stars’ Lightbox, said: “These results show young people in Britain are far more politically engaged than we perhaps give them credit for. UK political parties would do well to leverage the mentality of this new generation of voters – Facebook proved more influential than newspapers among British youth and one in five wish they could vote online, preferably via social networking sites.

“The Conservatives might have set out in the right direction by investing in Facebook advertising, but with Labour coming out on top with the UK’s youngsters, the message seems to have fallen flat.”