Understanding Gen Z's Relationship with Democracy

​Everyday Democracy convened youth organizing leaders Hannah Botts of Campus Compact and Zoë Jenkins of Civics Unplugged to explore Gen Z's relationship with democracy, revealing that only 16% believe democracy is working well for them—a disconnect rooted not in apathy but in earned distrust of institutions that have failed to deliver on promises. The conversation illuminated how young people are practicing discernment rather than disengagement, shifting civic energy from national politics to local communities where 77% trust neighbors and 65% trust nonprofits, while rejecting transactional engagement that only surfaces during elections. Panelists identified critical barriers including the search for belonging that conservative movements have successfully addressed by building community before politics, the chilling effect of constant digital surveillance on civic courage, and the need to create entirely new participatory structures rather than adding youth to existing adult tables. By listening to, trusting, and co-creating with a generation demanding institutions earn their participation, this work directly supports NCDD's mission of strengthening democracy through inclusive dialogue, fostering genuine civic engagement, and building collaborative pathways that center diverse voices in democratic renewal.

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Generation Z is not abandoning democracy—they are discerning where to invest their civic energy. According to recent research from Tufts University and Protect Democracy, only 16% of Gen Z believe democracy is working well for them, and just 36% feel it can address the nation's problems. This profound disconnect reflects not apathy but earned distrust of formal institutions that have failed to deliver on their promises.
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Everyday Democracy recently convened a conversation exploring these dynamics, bringing together youth organizing leaders Hannah Botts of Campus Compact's Rural Youth Voices Initiative and Zoë Jenkins of Civics Unplugged. Moderated by Everyday Democracy President Merle McGee, the discussion revealed critical insights about how young people are redefining civic engagement and what institutions must change to earn their participation.

From Big D to Small D Democracy

While trust in national institutions has plummeted, young people are actively practicing what the panelists call "small d" democracy—investing their energy at the local level where they see tangible impact. Research shared during the conversation shows that 77% of rural youth trust their neighbors and 65% trust local nonprofits, while trust in Congress, the presidency, and political parties remains significantly lower.

Botts characterizes this shift as discernment rather than disengagement. Young people are drawing boundaries around who has actually earned their trust, granting it to individuals and organizations that are consistent, present, and relational. Local nonprofits, youth organizers, and community institutions keep showing up after election cycles end, in stark contrast to political parties that often engage only when they need turnout.
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This rejection of transactional politics reflects a generation sold promises that hard work, voting, and education would lead to stability—only to graduate with immense debt into a difficult job market. Young people see near-consensus on issues like term limits and ending Super PACs, yet witness no change, cementing the belief that formal systems are unresponsive to their needs.

The Search for Belonging

Three out of four young people report feeling politically homeless, according to the Tufts research—they do not feel they belong to a group that expresses itself politically. This widespread alienation has created openings for movements that effectively cultivate community, and conservative organizing has succeeded partly by building belonging before demanding ideological alignment.

Botts suggests that conservative movements often build community first, with politics as an asterisk, offering acceptance that is not predicated on ideological purity. In contrast, some progressive spaces can feel precarious, where young people feel they must possess correct vocabulary and knowledge before they can even engage. This high barrier to entry stifles learning, as there is little room to make mistakes.
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The antidote is creating local, low-pressure spaces that invite conversation and growth—environments like high school programs or community projects where young people can disagree, be challenged, and learn while still feeling belonging. These spaces empower youth by affirming they are experts in their own lived experience, giving them confidence and vocabulary to engage with formal politics later.

Navigating Digital Surveillance and Fear

Generation Z is the first to mature under constant digital surveillance, a phenomenon with profound effects on civic courage. Jenkins explains that being constantly watched and perceived during adolescence—the crucial period for identity development—creates overwhelming feedback that often feels harsh and permanent.

This environment cultivates deep fear of being perceived negatively. Caring about issues has become risky because any action or statement can be recorded, remixed, mocked online, and live on the internet forever. The fear of being canceled or publicly shamed leads to widespread withdrawal, paralyzing civic courage as young people choose silence over the risk of saying the wrong thing.
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This withdrawal from public discourse drives people further into individual silos. Instead of consulting each other, they consult the internet, reinforcing existing biases and contributing to polarization that undermines democratic trust.

Shifting Information Sources

Faced with disinformation and information overload, Gen Z is radically changing how it consumes news, moving away from traditional institutions toward more personal and relational sources. Young people are experiencing burnout from the constant news cycle and have largely unplugged from traditional media they distrust.
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The gaps are being filled by local news anchors they see at the grocery store, friends sharing perspectives in group chats, and micro-influencers on platforms like TikTok and Substack who feel more direct and accessible. This shift presents both opportunity and risk—allowing civic organizations to meet young people where they are, while also opening pathways to further misinformation from creators with undisclosed incentives and no fact-checking standards.

Building Authentic Youth Partnership

The conversation concluded with clear recommendations for adults and institutions seeking to genuinely support the next generation of civic leaders. The most critical action is offering real, meaningful trust—institutions must stop treating young people as token participants and start treating them as equal partners in decision-making.

Jenkins powerfully argued against simply adding chairs to existing tables, advocating instead for creating entirely new tables—new processes, meeting structures, and modes of engagement authentically designed for youth participation, rather than expecting young people to adapt to inaccessible adult spaces.

Authentic support requires resources, including paid opportunities that remove financial barriers and formally honor youth expertise as worthy of compensation. The foundation for all support is listening to what matters to young people, learning from their experiences, and actively working to remove barriers they face.

Generation Z is demanding that institutions earn their participation. The future of democracy depends on whether those institutions can listen, trust, and co-create with a generation that is not disengaged but discerning—investing their civic energy where they experience genuine belonging, consistent relationships, and opportunities for meaningful impact.
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Learn more about this conversation and Everyday Democracy's work at https://everyday-democracy.org/doing-democracy-gen-z/