As TikTok becomes a major source of political information for young voters, its influence is beginning to shape how candidates gain visibility. On Nov. 4, Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, was elected mayor of New York City. He ran against former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani’s election is expected to bring significant policy changes, and a notable factor in his rise was the engagement he received on social media platforms such as TikTok.
One of the most prominent proposals in Mamdani’s platform is his housing plan, which includes freezing rent for four years and building affordable housing units across the city. In response to rising grocery prices, he has also proposed creating a network of government-owned grocery stores. Other priorities include making public buses free and lowering child healthcare costs.
To fund these initiatives Mamdani has said he will need to raise taxes, which he acknowledges may drive some millionaires out of the state. His focus on wealthier residents has drawn support from many middle and lower income voters and criticism from others who oppose the tax increases.
A major reason for Mamdani’s success was how younger voters engaged with him on social media. For many Westminster students, platforms such as TikTok and Instagram serve as easy access points for political information.
“Campaigner Mamdani has a sound trending; it goes like ‘My name is Mamdani M-A-M-D-A-N-I,’” said senior Read Elizabeth Blanco. “And I think that has grown and gotten him a lot of popularity with Gen Z.”
A Pew Research Center report published Aug. 20, 2024, stated that nearly 48 percent of TikTok users ages 18 to 29 use the platform to keep up with politics, making it a significant space for shaping political awareness and engagement. Political leaders and campaign teams have taken notice and increasingly use TikTok to reach younger audiences.
Yet not all students view this influence as positive.
“Politics spreading on social media is negative; uneducated citizens blindly trust something based on a TikTok,” said senior Coleman Fleming. “Also, often politicians do not give the full picture when campaigning, which causes biased videos that leave out crucial details. These biased videos are the reason rumors and false campaigning flow throughout platforms like TikTok.”
However, other students believe that it allows for youth to become more engaged with politics.
“I think social media does a good job of bringing awareness to politics,” said senior Charlotte Allen. “This allows the younger generation to be more engaged, making social media a positive influence on politics.”
Influencers play a significant role in shaping these opinions. A Penn State article noted, “Social media influencers have a more extreme effect on the rest of society, according to the researchers. As more people turn to social media for their news, influencers and traditional media outlets have begun competing for the same audiences. To stand out from the crowd and attract more followers, influencers distort their messaging, and in response, the opinions of citizens who are swayed by the influencers become increasingly polarized.”
TikTok has had a consequential impact on politics and continues to shape how voters form their opinions. The New York City election illustrates how the platform can elevate one candidate above others. As TikTok grows, its influence on future elections will likely expand.
Looking ahead, Blanco remains skeptical. “I think it’s negative because I think people blindly trust something based on a TikTok,” she said. As TikTok continues to influence how candidates present themselves and how young voters form opinions, its role in shaping future elections will only grow.
Edited by Lilya Elchahal
