Democracy at 16: A Risk or a Right? | Georgiana Jeffreys | TEDxSGBIS Youth
Through recent election reforms in the United Kingdom, sixteen-year-olds will now be given the right to vote in the next general election. In Europe currently the only countries to allow them to vote in general elections are Austria and Malta . On the one hand teens form a vital part of society and their vote would mean the government was more reflective of the public opinion and giving them the opportunity to vote encourages lifelong civic engagement. On the other hand teens are very susceptible to the influence of parents and therefore would be less reflective and secondly, teens have a lack of maturity and life experience and therefore this power should not be handed over to them. Through recent election reforms in the United Kingdom, 16 year olds will now be given the right to vote in the next general election. In Europe currently the only countries to allow them to vote in general elections are Austria and Malta . On the one hand teens form a vital part of society and their vote would mean the government was more reflective of the public opinion and giving them the opportunity to vote encourages lifelong civic engagement. On the other hand teens are very succeptible to the influence of parents and therefore would be less reflective and secondly, teens have a lack of maturity and life experience and therefore this power should not be handed over to them. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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