Would giving 16-year-olds the vote improve democracy or just change the way campaigns are run?
This post was written by a student. It has not been fact checked or edited.
The right to vote at 16 could have positive and negative effects on democracy. Firstly, I think 16-year-olds do not yet fully understand how elections work.
At that age, many are still discovering politics and may have a rather naive view of certain issues. Their lack of experience can make it more difficult for them to form an opinion on political programmes and speeches.
Then, young people are often highly exposed to social media and certain media outlets where information is not always verified, leading them to be misinformed. They generally have less political culture, and they can be more influenced by simple messages or highly focused campaigns.
However, there are also arguments in favour of voting at 16. Some 16- or 17-year-olds already work, earn money, and sometimes pay taxes. This can show that they are able to assume certain responsibilities in society.
Finally, some psychological research indicates that maturity is reached at around the age of 25. This may support the idea that teenagers have not yet fully developed their ability to make complex political decisions.
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