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Trump-Biden debate is upon us. Don't ignore Gen Z voters.

11 6
20.06.2024

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off in a debate on CNN next week and we'll all be watching. If they want to win over Gen Z, they’ll need to use this time wisely.

Both major party candidates are decades older than Generation Z’s oldest members – Biden is 81, Trump is 78 and the oldest Zoomers are 27. But they both need my generation’s attention to eke out a victory in November.

While it isn’t guaranteed that Gen Z will tune in (the majority of us prefer streaming services over cable), both candidates should be thinking about how their platforms can be truncated to fit on a phone screen. As of June, both candidates are on TikTok, where a third of 18- to 29-year-olds get their news, according to the Pew Research Center.

To get the quick remarks that will perform best on TikTok or Instagram, both candidates will need to stay on topic and consider three major issues for Gen Z in the upcoming election.

The majority of stories about Gen Z this election cycle have been about voter apathy and the disillusionment our generation feels about the electoral process.

In spite of these headlines, I have faith that Gen Z voters will show up to the polls in November.

We can't vote for Trump:Gen Z voters like me should be mad at Biden. But we can't risk another Trump presidency.

There are a few issues motivating Gen Z voters. Tufts University’s Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) found that the majority of Americans ages 18-34 that they spoke with say the cost of living/inflation are among their top concerns ahead of the 2024 election. And 28% say “jobs that pay a living wage” are among their priorities.

Despite the........

© USA TODAY


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