Social media – the path to electoral success among young people

The Sweden Democrats became the largest party in this year's EU school election, according to the preliminary result. A result that can be explained by the parties' impact on social media.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: June 12 2024

Social media – the path to electoral success among young people
Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/TT

The Sweden Democrats became the largest party in this year's EU school election, according to the preliminary result.

A result that can be explained by the parties' impact on social media.

Obviously, it is clear that some parties are more skilled than others at communicating with young people, says Lena Nyberg, Director-General of the Agency for Youth and Civil Society Issues.

She is supported by Erik Lundberg, Associate Professor of Political Science at Dalarna University, who has researched young people's voting participation in school elections. An explanation for the Sweden Democrats' success in schools is likely their presence on social media.

Yes, young people use social media more. We know that the Sweden Democrats are the party that has been most successful and first to drive opinion in new ways.

Far from all students voted in this year's EU school election. Over 157,000 had the opportunity – just over half chose to do so. The group corresponds to approximately 12 per cent of the country's students in the relevant year groups, distributed across 369 schools that participated.

The interest in voting among students is relatively high, with 87,000 voting, says Lena Nyberg.

M largest in upper secondary school

Most voted in upper secondary school – just over 81 per cent. It was also in these year groups that the Sweden Democrats became the largest. If one only looks at the result in upper secondary school, the Moderates did best. However, for example, the Green Party, which made progress among eligible voters, does not resonate as strongly among school students.

It is difficult to know why, emphasizes political scientist Erik Lundberg, who believes that another possible explanation may be that some parties deliver simpler solutions to complex problems to a greater extent.

Especially in the European Parliament election, politics is complex, and it is easy to fall into simple solutions.

Young people more malleable

Some of the students will get to vote in the upcoming general election – can any conclusions be drawn about how young people will vote then?

Young voters are more malleable than older voters, emphasizes Erik Lundberg.

Young people try out and express different preferences, it is part of their socialization.

Director-General Lena Nyberg believes that more parties need to engage in communicating with young people.

Then we see that first-time voters voted slightly differently in the real election than those who voted in the school election.

Political swings among adults happen quickly. And it does among young people as well.

Anna Karolina Eriksson/TT

Facts: The preliminary national result for the EU school election

TT

Social Democrats 18.5 %

Centre Party 6.2 %

Christian Democrats 3.4 %

Liberals 3.6 %

Green Party 9.4 %

Moderates 24.0 %

Sweden Democrats 24.5 %

Left Party 6.2 %

Worthy Life 0.7 %

Pirate Party 3.0 %

Others 0.4 %

The total voter turnout at the 369 schools that conducted the election was over 55 per cent. This is an increase of 8.2 percentage points compared to the EU school election in 2019.

Source: Agency for Youth and Civil Society Issues

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

More news

Explosion Damages Malmö Apartment Door,
1 MIN READ

Explosion Damages Malmö Apartment Door, No Injuries Reported

Teen Receives Medical Attention After
1 MIN READ

Teen Receives Medical Attention After Dog Bite in Linköping

Man Fined for Explosion Caused
1 MIN READ

Man Fined for Explosion Caused by Attempt to Deep-Fry Chili Cheese

Fire at Gothenburg Refinery Injures
1 MIN READ

Fire at Gothenburg Refinery Injures Three, One Seriously

Climate Activists Arrested on Malmö
1 MIN READ

Climate Activists Arrested on Malmö Airport Runway

Extreme Weather and Viruses Threaten
2 MIN READ

Extreme Weather and Viruses Threaten Global Blood Donation Supply

Riders and Horses Rescued from
1 MIN READ

Riders and Horses Rescued from Bog Near Karlstad Airport

Five Rescued from Burning Fishing
1 MIN READ

Five Rescued from Burning Fishing Boat Near Strömstad

Avalanche Risk High in Swedish
1 MIN READ

Avalanche Risk High in Swedish Mountains: Stay Clear of Steep Slopes

Understanding April's Unpredictable Weather: Insights
2 MIN READ

Understanding April's Unpredictable Weather: Insights from a Meteorologist

Sweden Boosts Egg Exports as
3 MIN READ

Sweden Boosts Egg Exports as Bird Flu Hits Global Supply

Man Jailed for Missing Military
1 MIN READ

Man Jailed for Missing Military Exercise to Care for Children

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Kalmarposten Closes After 35 Years Due to Advertising Revenue Shortfall

Police Probe Possible Link Between
2 MIN READ

Police Probe Possible Link Between Gislaved Shooting and Värnamo Stabbing

Fire at Umeå's Abandoned Industrial
1 MIN READ

Fire at Umeå's Abandoned Industrial Site Extinguished

Police Investigate Gunshot Sounds Near
1 MIN READ

Police Investigate Gunshot Sounds Near Swedish Airbase

Two Arrested in Connection with
1 MIN READ

Two Arrested in Connection with Biskopsgården Double Murder

Man Convicted of Gross Sexual
2 MIN READ

Man Convicted of Gross Sexual Assault for Allowing Child to Touch Genitals

Iran Takes Legal Action Against
1 MIN READ

Iran Takes Legal Action Against Sweden and Others Over 2020 Plane Incident

Two Detained in Södermanland Over
1 MIN READ

Two Detained in Södermanland Over Suspected Fatal Incident

Police Recover Escaped Boys from
1 MIN READ

Police Recover Escaped Boys from Sollefteå Sis Home; Investigation Launched

Care Company Profits Millions from
1 MIN READ

Care Company Profits Millions from Unused Elderly Home Spaces

Convicted Man Escapes Custody During
1 MIN READ

Convicted Man Escapes Custody During Hospital Visit in Sweden

Swedes Evacuated from Gaza Share
1 MIN READ

Swedes Evacuated from Gaza Share Relief and Longing for Home

Police Seek UK Assistance in
1 MIN READ

Police Seek UK Assistance in Örebro Massacre Investigation

Man Dies from Injuries After
1 MIN READ

Man Dies from Injuries After Helsingborg Apartment Fire

Easter Travel Chaos: Multiple Accidents
2 MIN READ

Easter Travel Chaos: Multiple Accidents Cause Major Traffic Disruptions

Teenage Girl Faces Detention Request
1 MIN READ

Teenage Girl Faces Detention Request for Kidnapping in Karlskrona

Two Seniors Killed in Nordanstig
1 MIN READ

Two Seniors Killed in Nordanstig Traffic Collision

Researchers Find Potential Life Indicators
2 MIN READ

Researchers Find Potential Life Indicators on Distant Planet K2-18b

Fraud Suspects Arrested for Double
1 MIN READ

Fraud Suspects Arrested for Double Murder in Ethiopia

Dual Medication Approach Reduces Heart
3 MIN READ

Dual Medication Approach Reduces Heart Attack Risks, Swedish Study Finds

Gothenburg Family Sentenced for Cultivating
1 MIN READ

Gothenburg Family Sentenced for Cultivating and Selling Drug Mushrooms

Woman Hospitalized After Dog Attack
1 MIN READ

Woman Hospitalized After Dog Attack in Tyringe

Vasa Ship's Herring Offers Clues
1 MIN READ

Vasa Ship's Herring Offers Clues on Fish Adaptation to Climate Change

Forest Fire Near Uppsala Contained,
1 MIN READ

Forest Fire Near Uppsala Contained, Extinguishing Efforts Continue