How TikTok is Changing the Political Views of Young Voters

TikTok isn't just for dances and DIYs anymore it's becoming a political force. With millions of Gen Z users glued to their For You Pages, political campaigns, influencers, and activists are tapping into TikTok to shape opinions and maybe even influence votes. But does it work? I decided to find out.

What I Did: Surveying Young Voters on TikTok’s Influence

I surveyed 23 TikTok users between the ages of 19 and 35 (most were 19–21). My goal was simple: figure out if using TikTok correlates with political engagement, particularly voting in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

Respondents answered questions about:

• Their TikTok habits (how often they use it, if they follow political creators)

• Their political identity and voting history

• Whether TikTok has ever changed their mind on a political issue

Data visualization from my survey

What I Found (And Didn’t Find)

Surprisingly, TikTok usage did not directly correlate with voting behavior. In other words, just watching political TikTok’s didn’t mean people were more likely to vote but things got more interesting when I looked at subgroups:

Young women showed a slight positive trend between TikTok use and voting.

• Democrats and Independents showed more potential for influence than Republicans.

• Some users said TikTok made them rethink issues even if it didn’t change their final vote.

So while the app might not drive people straight to the polls, it’s definitely shaping how young people think about politics.

Why It Matters

TikTok’s real power may not be in turnout but in shaping beliefs and normalizing political conversation. Young voters engage with bite-sized content, political memes, influencer commentary, and even satire. These formats make politics feel less intimidating and more personal. However, it’s not all good news

• Algorithms can create echo chambers

• Misinformation spreads fast

• Trust in traditional news is decreasing

Platforms like TikTok are now competing with (or replacing) traditional media when it comes to informing young voters.

Data visualization from my survey

Takeaways

TikTok may not cast a vote for anyone, but it’s changing how young voters form political opinions. It gives them access, voice, and visibility but also risk. As the digital campaign trail expands, platforms like TikTok could become some of the most powerful political arenas out there.