The hottest Youth Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

The case against child voters

Wrong Side of History • 375 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting Rights Legislation Youth Politics Civic engagement Democracy issues
  1. Young people under 18 face many restrictions in life, which raises questions about their ability to vote responsibly at 16. If they can't make certain adult choices, why should they vote?
  2. There's a trend showing that young people are maturing later than in past generations. This makes some wonder if they really understand the consequences of their voting decisions.
  3. Relying on 16-year-olds to vote could lead to them being easily influenced by adults. If they're still seen as immature in many aspects, giving them the vote could be risky.

The TikTok electorate

Read Max • 7008 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Elections Political Communication Youth Politics Political Analysis
  1. TikTok influences the political views of young voters, particularly young men. It can spread both anxiety about issues like the economy and radical ideas from influencers.
  2. Social media, especially TikTok, can create a mindset where users see themselves as entrepreneurs or gamblers. This can lead to a desire for chaos and instability in politics.
  3. The impact of TikTok goes beyond just spreading messages; it shapes how users think and relate to the world. This can make traditional political solutions less effective.

Groyperfication

Unpopular Front • 160 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Movements Right-wing Social media Youth Politics
  1. Groyperfication refers to the spread of extreme right views, primarily through online trolling and memes. This movement is influencing young conservatives and their political beliefs.
  2. Many young people on the right are exposed to groyper ideology daily, making it more popular than traditional conservative ideas. The groyper community is considered both avant-garde and mainstream among this group.
  3. Mainstream media struggle to understand and report on groyperfication, as it operates in a decentralized manner and challenges established political narratives.

Why a MAGA influencer turned on Trump

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3971 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Influence Social media Elections Youth Politics Political trends
  1. A MAGA influencer named Clarkson Lawson changed his political views and voted for Kamala Harris, surprising many of his fans. His journey shows how influencers can evolve and reshape their beliefs over time.
  2. There's a legal battle between major talent agencies in Hollywood, with one agency accusing another of violating industry rules. This conflict highlights the competitive nature of the entertainment business.
  3. Zyn nicotine pouches have become very popular among younger people, especially for managing long workdays and social nights. Their rise reflects a trend in how individuals are seeking new ways to cope with modern stress.
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Social Learning Links, 2/13/2025

In My Tribe • 273 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ideologies Youth Politics Public Discourse Societal Trends
  1. At the World Economic Forum this year, many attendees showed a surprising rightward shift in their views, with a strong presence of pro-Trump sentiments among participants.
  2. A group of young conservative men hosts debate parties, reflecting their deep engagement with intellectual discussions, often in contrast to older conservative perspectives.
  3. Making actions easier or harder can shape behaviors; if antisocial behavior is easy, it often increases, so we need to think carefully about the barriers we create.