New survey reveals teenagers don't share their political views for fear of being "cancelled"

Max Thompson, Campaigns Officer

18 April 2026

A new survey from the Economist Educational Foundation has revealed a concerning set of findings about young people and their fear of being ‘cancelled’ for expressing their political views.

The survey found that 22 per cent of 15- to 17-year-olds have refrained from sharing their political opinions due to fear of criticism. Among 10- to 14-year-olds, the figure is only slightly lower at 20 per cent. Most concerningly, nearly a quarter of the 4,167 students who took part in the survey reported that they had been asked to stop sharing their political views and opinions at school.

The survey also highlighted that 44 per cent of respondents aged 15 to 17 do not feel ready to vote in the next election. This comes as the Government continues to pursue plans to lower the voting age to 16 – a move that would enfranchise an estimated 9.5 million additional people. The proposal is included in the Representation of the People Bill, which is currently progressing through the House of Commons.

These findings should give pause for thought. Teenagers should feel able to express their political views and concerns in a safe and open environment, particularly in schools as they prepare to become active members of society. Schools, in turn, should be encouraging such engagement rather than discouraging debate.

Julie George, a teacher at Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy in Stoke-on-Trent, said the research reveals a lack of confidence among teenage students when it comes to politics and expressing their views without causing offence. She said: ‘Many older teenagers are self-aware and realise they don’t know enough about politics and are unsure how to express their views without offending others. Students want to be able to talk about the big political issues of the day, but in a supportive environment where they can learn to share ideas.’

The Free Speech Union is concerned about the growing trend of self-censorship in education across the country, particularly in higher education, where students have been ostracised, hounded, and silenced for expressing their lawfully held political views.

Tiffany Smyly, the Chief Growth Officer at the Economist Education Foundation, has warned: ‘If teenagers are worried about being cancelled, then they are not going to be sharing their viewpoints at school or with friends.’ Chief Executive of The Economist Education Foundation, Flora Letanka, added: ‘We need to ensure young people are given the chance to think critically about what’s going on in the world, to explore different perspectives, and see the real impact of political decisions on the people around them.’

Nobody should have to self-censor their opinions and beliefs for fear of being cancelled – no matter their age.