In preparation for the European elections in June, two young academics, Alessandro Marcia and Emma Prins, are using social media platforms like TikTok to create engaging and informative content for young voters. Marcia, a PhD researcher at Maastricht University, is using his expertise in federalism and EU politics to create videos that spark curiosity and answer questions about the EU for his young audience. Prins, a lecturer at the Hague University, uses TikTok to keep her students engaged outside of the classroom, focusing on European content and encouraging them to explore reliable sources.
While Marcia and Prins believe in the power of social media to educate and inform young voters, they also acknowledge the challenges that come with platforms like TikTok. The app has faced scrutiny over issues such as the protection of minors and addictive design, leading to investigations under the European Commission’s Digital Services Act. Despite these concerns, TikTok has launched local election centers within the app to help users separate fact from fiction and combat misinformation ahead of the elections.
Both creators have noticed a presence of far-right politicians on TikTok, including Germany’s right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has a significant following on the platform. Marcia and Prins are committed to providing nuanced and unbiased information to counter the influence of extremist views. They believe that by staying on the platform and amplifying their election-related content, they can provide young voters with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.
As the election approaches, Marcia and Prins plan to increase their election-related content, focusing on topics such as election predictions, opportunities offered by the EU for young people, and the functioning of EU institutions. They aim to empower young voters with the information they need to understand the complexities of the EU and make informed choices at the ballot box. Both creators emphasize the importance of the upcoming elections, stating that the decisions made will shape the future of the European Union and determine the path of integration or division.
