Faced with barriers to have their
voices heard in traditional media and communication outlets, such as television
and media, young people are increasingly ignoring them altogether. More than
ever, young people around the world are using ICT tools and platforms to
organize for change, make their political opinions publicly known, and mobilize
support. They have adopted more direct and interactive communication tools,
such as Facebook, Twitter, text messages, promotional videos, podcasts, and
blogs, decisions that have eliminated the use of intermediaries in
communication and allowed youth themselves to be “the news makers.”
These youth preferences and trends
underscore why EMBs should capitalize on the power of ICTs to provide
incentives for young people to participate in electoral processes, as well as
to reach out to them in relatable ways.
