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The TikTok factor: Young voters and the support for the populist right

Author

Listed:
  • Janne Tukiainen
  • Ilona Lahdelma
  • Mika Maliranta

  • Risto Rönkkö
  • Juho Saari

Abstract

Young voters’ electoral behavior has been a particular target of interest because young people waver between apolitical and radical attitudes and the formally dominant main-stream parties suffer from this the most. We examine possible explanations into why this shift away from mainstream parties is happening by a conjoint survey experiment that tested for possible differences in policy preferences between young people aged 15 –29 and adults aged 30 – 79. We also survey the respondents’ media consumption habits, political sophistication, and trust in institutions. Results show that even though young people in Finland show no differences on average in policy preferences when compared to adults, they were systematically more in favor of voting for the populist extreme right. This difference is likely to stem from the young men who have less trust in institutions and less political sophistication than adults and an increased likelihood to get their political information from TikTok.

Suggested Citation

  • Janne Tukiainen & Ilona Lahdelma & Mika Maliranta & Risto Rönkkö & Juho Saari, 2024. "The TikTok factor: Young voters and the support for the populist right," Working Papers 351, Työn ja talouden tutkimus LABORE, The Labour Institute for Economic Research LABORE.
    • Handle: RePEc:pst:wpaper:351
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    4. Ekaterina Zhuravskaya & Maria Petrova & Ruben Enikolopov, 2020. "Political Effects of the Internet and Social Media," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 12(1), pages 415-438, August.
    5. Tom Chevalier, 2019. "Political trust, young people and institutions in Europe. A multilevel analysis," International Journal of Social Welfare, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(4), pages 418-430, October.
    6. Christina Peter & Luisa Muth, 2023. "Social Media Influencers’ Role in Shaping Political Opinions and Actions of Young Audiences," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(3), pages 164-174.
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