Inside the mind of a 16-year-old: From Andrew Tate to Bonnie Blue to Nigel Farage – what do first time voters think about social media, politics, the state of Britain and their futures?

What do young people really think about politics, social media, and the future?

In this guest report, authors Shuab Gamote and Peter Hyman, take readers across the country to delve into the minds of 16-18-year-olds. Drawing on workshops and conversations with over 700 students, they challenge the lazy headlines about Gen Z to reveal a generation that is thoughtful, diverse and far more politically aware than many assume.

The report introduces five archetypes, co-designed with students themselves, that reflect the spectrum of young people today: The Activist, The Entrepreneur, The Critical Realist, The Traditionalist and The Connector.

Authors uncover the real story in young people’s politics. The insights challenge many assumptions and misconceptions about this generation:

• Andrew Tate’s influence is fading – today’s teens follow a far wider mix of creators, from MrBeast to HasanAbi.
• Young people are incredibly media-savvy, cross-checking what they see on TikTok with mainstream sources.
• Mainstream politicians are not communicating effectively with young people – Nigel Farage is not liked but admired for using social media and for his straight talking. Keir Starmer is not disliked, he is invisible.
• Knife crime is the number-one concern raised by young people, and is seen as a symbol of politicians’ failure to keep them safe.
• Schools are closing down space for debate and discussion, leaving students craving honest discussion.
• Despite their frustrations, most remain hopeful and confident that Britain can improve, and that they’ll build better lives than their parents.