Generation Z is leading to be the most influential generation of all time. They’re a generation of people who grew up witnessing injustices on social media, who went through a global pandemic during what was supposed to be the best years of their life, who can amplify their voices with a simple tweet, and who are excitedly changing traditional norms of society. 

Today’s Midterm elections in the United States are the first time we as a nation will be able to see the true impact of Gen Z on U.S. politics. To better understand Gen Z and their crossover with politics, we sent out a poll to over two thousand Yubo users of voting age in the United States asking for their views on the upcoming election and American politics.

Gen Zers (typically) are those born from 1997 to 2012, and currently counts for those of ten to twenty-five years of age. In the United States, Gen Z is the most racially diverse generation thus far with only 52% of Gen Zers being white, while their predecessors, Millennials, were 61% white. They also happen to be on track to be the highest educated generation we’ve seen, already enrolling a higher percentage of Gen Zers into college than Millennials had respectively. This sets Generation Z to not only be a more informed group, but a group who better represents all people within the United States.

Will Generation Z Vote in the upcoming elections?

Out of over 2,000 Gen Z users polled, 69.8% of surveyors said yes to voting in the upcoming election. By 2024, Millennials and Gen Z are estimated to account for the largest percentage of U.S. voters, giving them a real opportunity to make changes. But, what type of changes may these be?

What topics matter most to Gen Z when voting?

50% of surveyors said the Economy was the most important topic to them. This was followed by social justice at 43%, healthcare at 42%, and employment at 32%. Taxation, education and climate change all had similar numbers near 30%. Foreign policy/relations and international trade were the least picked options. 

Gen Z’s concerns match what their generation has gone through. Many have graduated from high school, expecting to move out, only to be hit with the high costs of homes, rent and interests rates, plus a worldwide pandemic affecting employment. Due to the increase of social media, Gen Zers are more aware of social justice issues than ever. In a study done by Reach3, they found that 77% of those asked, said TikTok helped them learn more about social justice, as well as politics. An early display of the power social media has on politics can be seen with one of the past presidential candidate’s rallies receiving over 1 million RSVPs, just for less than nineteen thousand supporters to show up in person. What caused this fakeout? Young supporters of a Korean Pop band wanting to make their idols proud by taking a stand for what they believed in. All communication was done strictly through social media. 

Surprisingly, when we polled our users asking if they share their political opinions on social media, 61% of users said no while 72% of users said they believed sharing political opinions on social media has an impact. 

How does Gen Z determine who to vote for?

We know the topics most important to Gen Z, but now, how do they pick a candidate? Well, in our Yubo poll, 68% of surveyors said they would choose a candidate based on their specific ideas and plans while only 17% said they would choose a candidate based on their party alone. Gen Z is seeking a candidate who truly represents their beliefs, instead of just representing a party they’re supposed to align with. They’re ready to move on from the traditional style of politics, and truly focus on the individual who can shape the country into the view they want to see. 

When asked if American politics are outdated, 64% of respondents answered yes with 55% of them blaming this on the two-party system, electoral college, winner-take-all voting, and the requirements to vote. 25% of poll takers, however, believed the two-party system is the key reason American politics are outdated. 

How Can You Be More Involved in Politics?

You don’t need to have thousands of followers to make a difference, all you need is to use your voice. First and foremost, go out and vote! After that, you can post your beliefs to whichever social media platform you may have. If you’d prefer to stand for what you believe in more physically, then volunteer for a campaign or attend peaceful protests throughout your community. You can join a nonprofit organization to spread their message or donate to your favorite NGO. However you chose to be a part of the change is up to you, and no matter how small the action may seem, it only needs to impact a single individual to ignite change. 

Generation Z is leading to be the most influential generation of all time. They’re a generation of people who grew up witnessing injustices on social media, who went through a global pandemic during what was supposed to be the best years of their life, who can amplify their voices with a simple tweet, and who are excitedly changing traditional norms of society. 
On the occasion of the Midterm elections in the United States and to better understand Gen Z and their crossover with politics, Yubo sent out a poll to over two thousand Yubo users of voting age in the United States asking for their views on the upcoming election and American politics.

Gen Z and Voting

In October, Yubo wears pink to raise awareness about breast cancer impact and prevention. 

In the United States, on average, 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. In France, where Yubo was founded, 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer does not choose who to affect and no matter who or where you are, someone in your life or even yourself is at risk. That is why Yubo is joining Pink October alongside partnership with the renowned research center Marie Curie Institute, Medisur laboratory, Cancer@Work, and TrainMe to help raise awareness among our employees, their friends, and their families and to teach the importance of preventative screening and prioritizing their health.

Yubo’s Pink October program focuses on bettering our team and putting their health first, through learning, experience sharing and wellness teaching. 

Yubo employees will be attending seminars with the Marie Curie Institute, a leader in breast cancer treatment, where we will be listening and talking to expert spokespersons on good practices for personal health and the different forms of breast cancer. Through participating in the Pink October program, Yubo will also be financially supporting the Marie Curie Institute with a donation toward its incredible life-saving research. 

A conference led by Medisur will inform Yubo team members about what the breast cancer screening process accounts for, and the life-saving importance of self-examination. Medisur works with companies and organizations to put their employees and members health first. They will also hear testimonials from Natahlie Presson, Director of Cancer@Work, and its members Louise Massing and Franck Martinez. 20-30% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, will lose their jobs, taking away their financial security and their health insurance. Cancer@Work aids breast cancer warriors and survivors in finding jobs by recognizing their strengths, rather than focusing on the “blank” periods on their resumes. 

Yubo team will also be participating in classes with TrainMe to help all employees focus on their mental and physical well-being. Not only is preventative screening necessary to protect your health, but so is nurturing your body and your mind. 

The Yubo App is adding a brand new filter for Pink October. The new filter, featuring pink hair pom poms, a pink tint over the whole video, a small pink heart on the user’s nose, and of course, a ribbon for breast cancer awareness on the screen, will be available to all users. We at Yubo not only want to show our support, but we want to assist our users with raising awareness and vocalizing their own support through the use of this filter. 

Our team is showing our users how we support Pink October through our social media channels too. We’ll be posting our team wearing pink and encouraging users to help spread awareness about breast cancer and breast cancer prevention. 

Pink October is coined worldwide to describe October as a month to raise awareness about breast cancer. Pink October mainly focuses on education about breast cancer, early detection and possible symptoms, but it also is used as a month to raise money towards research, treatments, education and emotional support for those diagnosed or potential patients. If you’re looking to get involved with Pink October, check out the activities calendar offered by the National Breast Cancer Foundation. . 

When did Pink October start and when did the pink ribbon begin to represent breast cancer?

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was founded in 1985 by the American Cancer Society and a pharmaceutical division to promote breast cancer prevention. In 1991, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation handed out pink ribbons rather than the traditional pink visor to breast cancer survivors participating in a charity run.

Though the pink ribbon didn’t become synchronous with breast cancer that year, it only took one more year for the symbol to spread nationally. In 1993, is when the Senior Corporate Vice President of the Estee Lauder Companies (yes the cosmetics company), Evelyn Lauder, made a deal with the editor-in-chief of Self magazine, to promote the pink ribbon at their cosmetic counters across the country. Read more about the evolution and the history of the pink ribbon here. 

Is there a specific day to wear pink in October?

There is no specific day to wear pink in October or any part of the year as breast cancer doesn’t only affect its victims at select times. But, there are organized activities, fundraisers, runs, and more to support Pink October and breast cancer awareness in general, that you may want to sport pink for. For example, on the official Real Kids Wear Pink Day, students all across the nation are encouraged to wear pink to raise awareness in their communities and help fight against breast cancer. Real Kids Wear Pink was founded by an eleven year old girl in New York, who believed that when kids come together, great things can happen. 

The Marie Curie Institute / Institut Curie

The Marie Curie Institute, formed in 1970 thanks to the work done by Marie Curie and her colleagues on radioactivity, is an internationally-renowned research center with over 3,300 researchers, physicians and caregivers all working together for the Institute’s main missions: treatment, research and teaching. Marie Curie, a revolutionary physicist and chemist, is the only woman to have won two Nobel Prizes. 

In the United States, on average, 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. That is why Yubo is joining Pink October alongside partnership with the renowned research center Marie Curie Institute, Medisur laboratory, Cancer@Work, and TrainMe to help raise awareness among our employees, their friends, and their families and to teach the importance of preventative screening and prioritizing their health.

Yubo Joins Pink October

It's that time of the year already. The time of the year when you actually go to Target with a purpose. The time of year when you get slightly nostalgic about the warm weather, while simultaneously brainstorming this year's Halloween costumes. And of course the time of year when you go BACK TO SCHOOL.

School, whether it's high school, college, or trade school, is a community of thought and knowledge. And within that lies a rich and diverse mix of individuals who each bring their own unique culture, thoughts, traditions, perspective, and so much more to the table. At Yubo, we believe in embracing a better future and the community and environment you live in (be it in person or online). It is important to be passionate about the things you care about, and one way to express that passion in your community is through activism!

Activism comes in many shapes and sizes, from education to protests, all forms of activism are valuable. We’re not exclusively talking about the Greta Thunbergs of the world. You don’t need to be famous to be an activist. It could be as simple as educating yourself on a topic you knew nothing about before or by socializing with new people. As a student, there are many ways to be involved.

How do you get involved in topics you care about?

Do you know the saying, “there’s an app for that?” Well at school, there’s a club for that and if there isn’t, well, you can start a club for that. The three main focal points of student activism over the past 5 years have been Racial Equality, Politics, and Covid-19 policies/practices. If school clubs are not for you, there are still plenty of ways to be active in your community. It can be as simple as supporting local businesses or volunteering near you. There are plenty of dedicated town social media pages that list weekly and monthly events you could take part in.

What can you contribute to the community as a student?

There are many ways to do this, but the common theme among them all is turning your efforts into actions. Back in 2020, the BLM movement was heard loud and clear across almost every college campus and country. Students from across the U.S. (and world) organized protests for racial equality on campus and in their surrounding communities. Some student-led groups raised money to support local racial justice organizations, others lobbied to have building names changed or certain statues taken down. And, of course, the arts were instrumental in conveying the emotion and message behind racial equality.

Student activism is an essential representation of the youth's voice. After all, we are the ones who the world is being handed to. Student efforts extend far beyond school communities. Look at climate change conventions, like the famous COP26. Students were peacefully protesting and speaking at the convention, among members of the United Nations in hopes to enact change for a better world.That’s pretty impressive!

Younger generations view social media as an important tool to get involved with social issues. Through apps like Yubo, you can meet amazing people from all over the world and hear different points of view that you would not normally have access to. Yubo is one of the best places to hold a smooth debate! It’s a great place to educate yourself, engage in conversations, and expose yourself to viewpoints that are not local to you. Hosting a peaceful protest on campus? Post about it on social media and even live stream it to Yubo users around the world, so they can join in too!

Can you make an impact in your online community?

Activism does not only exist in the physical world. A lot of activist resources and connections are available online as well. In the recent months, the #WeStandWithUkraine hashtag blew up all across the internet. There were countless fundraisers across varying online communities that led to donations that helped the citizens of Ukraine. This was only possible through the online activism of the world and brought about real change.

Social movements translate well through social media because it’s accessible and shareable. As the world becomes more and more digital, our attention is shifting to online profiles and interactions. This is why actions as simple as putting a hashtag or emoji in your profile or adding your preferred pronouns to your bio make a difference. Did you know that on Yubo you can put tags and 5 emojis in your bio?

The internet, social media especially, has made important information available in an easily digestible medium. This can be a double edged sword, making it easier to spread misinformation. Before you potentially share false information, a quick Google search should do the trick! It has been truly exciting and humbling to see activism in action on our own platform, Yubo. It has been an honor to see people sharing tips on how to fight for racial justice, people sharing resources for pride month, the celebration of mental health, and much more!

We know you are off to school and we hope you make this semester count. In the great words of Martin Luther King Jr. “The time is always right to do right.” We are here for all of it.

At Yubo, we believe in embracing a better future and the community and environment you live in (be it in person or online). It is important to be passionate about the things you care about, and one way to express that passion in your community is through activism!

Student Activism : Ways To Get Involved In Your Community

At Yubo, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and all of the Ukrainian people in the wake of the current military invasion. Our hearts go out to those who are suffering as a result of the ongoing violence and who have been displaced from their homes. As a European company, we feel deeply affected by this war on our home continent. We are committed to supporting our employees whose families have been impacted by this devastating crisis, and have pledged to donate to essential on-the-ground relief efforts by organizations such as UNICEF, World Food Program, Direct Relief, International Rescue Committee among others to help deliver urgent supplies and services. We are donating to make a difference and will continue to follow the news closely to determine other ways in which we can show our support.  

On February 24, Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, ordered an invasion of its neighboring country Ukraine in protest of Ukraine’s moves towards joining the European Union and NATO (an international military alliance). Within the first day of the attack, hundreds of thousands of Ukranains fled their homes and tried to seek refuge across borders in countries such as Poland, Hungary and Romania. That number has now reached nearly over 1 million, and the EU believes that figure could quickly climb to 7 million. The Ukrainian people are living through terrifying times as bombs and air missiles rain down on them and they seek cover in bomb shelters left over from the Cold War. With millions displaced from their homes and left in freezing temperatures without food, water, shelter, medical supplies and other essential services, Ukraine is facing one of Europe’s worst humanitarian crises in decades. To learn more about the conflict and what’s happening, you can read about it here. 

Stay informed: Follow journalists, media sources and aid organizations who are on the ground to stay up to date on the current situation and how to help – and be cautious of misinformation by unreliable news sources.

Donate: With millions of Ukrainian people in need of relief, organizations across the world are rallying together to ensure essential resources reach them safely. You can easily support by making a donation to these organizations, or to general funds and personal fundraisers linked here.  

Speak up: Help spread awareness of what is happening in Ukraine and share useful resources with your network of friends and family. 

Go local: See if there are any local food or clothing drives in your area that are transporting supplies to Ukraine for humanitarian aid. 

Contact your government officials: Reach out to your local or national government representatives and urge them to provide safety and protection for Ukrainian refugees. 

At Yubo, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and all of the Ukrainian people in the wake of the current military invasion. Our hearts go out to those who are suffering as a result of the ongoing violence and who have been displaced from their homes. As a European company, we feel deeply affected by this war on our home continent. We are committed to supporting our employees whose families have been impacted by this devastating crisis

In Support of Ukraine

2020 has shone a spotlight on many inequalities in our society and we have seen a renewed interest in politics and social justice among young people. From climate change (#FridaysForFuture) to systemic racism (#BlackLivesMatter), from COVID-19 (#StayHome) to sexual violence (#MeToo), social media provides a vital platform for teens and others to focus on the issues that matter to them.

In the midst of a global pandemic, the US election captured many young people’s attention. Described by one media outlet as “the revenge of the millennials”, young voters were a decisive factor in the election result. Figures from NBC suggest that 65% of 18 to 24-year-olds voted for Joe Biden – significantly more than any other age group.

We certainly saw the US election gain traction on Yubo. Over the last six months, there were more than 150,000 live streams on the topic and, around election day (3-4 November), the Yubo community was discussing Trump vs Biden in more than 15,000 live streams.

During election week, we ran a poll of more than 14,000 Yubo members under the age of 18 in the US. More than half (59%) of the respondents said they were “very invested” in the election and 82% had watched at least one of the presidential debates. When we asked “What topic was most important for you in the 2020 election?”, ‘social justice’ was the most popular answer (57%) – streets ahead of ‘economics’ (8%), ‘environment’ (7%) and ‘education’ (3%).  

There are lots of examples in American history of young people driving social change, including the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. With so many economic and social issues currently affecting the younger generation, it’s perhaps no surprise that youth voter turnout in the 2020 US election was much higher than four years ago. Strikingly, 93% of the under-18 Yubo users we surveyed said they would have voted if they had been allowed to. 

Inspired by young activists, such as Greta Thunberg, Ja’Mal Green and Malala Yousafzai, children and teens are increasingly urging politicians and other decision-makers to help them change the world. As Deloitte’s Global Millennial Survey notes, young people are “... deeply affected by the pandemic but seem able to see opportunity in the darkness, viewing this crisis as an opportunity to reset and drive the change they want to see. Millennials and Gen Zs aren’t just hoping for a better world to emerge after the COVID-19 pandemic releases its grip on society — they want to lead the change.”

For younger members of the Yubo community, we offer a safe space where they can meet new people and hang out. As our usage stats show, many young people are choosing to debate the issues of the day in our live rooms. With more than half of the respondents in our recent poll citing ‘social justice’ as the most important topic when electing a new President of the United States, technology continues to play a vital role in connecting them to one another and helping them to have their voices heard. We are proud to support this go-getting, change-inspiring, put-others-first generation.

Find out how we’re supporting the Yubo community when it comes to equality, mental health and online safety.

2020 has shone a spotlight on many inequalities in our society and we have seen a renewed interest in politics and social justice among young people. We certainly saw the US election gain traction on Yubo. Over the last six months, there were more than 150,000 live streams on the topic and, around election day, the Yubo community was discussing Trump vs Biden in more than 15,000 live streams.

Social Justice and Social Media

Social justice and Social Media

Who am I? Where do I fit in? Who do I want to be? We all ask ourselves these questions. During adolescence, young people start to explore, experiment and figure out who they are. Shaped by family, environment, culture, education and other factors, they face complex choices and challenges in their quest for identity and independence.

In recent weeks, the issue of identity has been high on the news agenda. After the tragic death of George Floyd, many people have been speaking out against racism and taking part in the #BlackLivesMatter protests. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has also shone a spotlight on inequalities – for example, UK studies have found significantly higher mortality rates among ethnic minorities.

When research firm Ypulse asked teenagers and young adults in the US ‘What is the biggest problem your generation faces right now?’ The answer was: racism and discrimination. Our own poll of Yubo users in the US (14 June 2020) revealed that 88% feel that Black Americans are treated differently to others. 86% of respondents think that peaceful protests/political demonstrations are necessary to create a significant change and 77% have posted on social media to support equality for Black Americans.

Pride Month, which celebrated LGBTQ+ communities all over the world in June, has also reminded everyone of the importance of equality and tolerance. Here at Yubo, we partnered with three organisations – Switchboard in the UK, The Trevor Project in the US and Le Refuge in France – to support Pride and promote diversity. You can find out more about these partnerships in this video.

“Together, we have worked on a campaign that aims to promote acceptance and affirmation of one’s identity,” explains Natasha Walker, Co-Chair at Switchboard. “Thought-provoking messages such as ‘Am I the only one who feels like this?’, ‘I feel trapped in my body’ and ‘If this is who I am, why do I feel ashamed?’ were sent to Yubo’s teenage users in the UK, in a bid to encourage those who are struggling with their gender identity and sexuality to telephone the helpline for support.”

Yubo partners with LGBT+ helplines for Pride Month

The digital world has become a fundamental part of young people’s identity over the last decade – a space in which they can discover who they are and grow as a person. Indeed, more than a third (38%) of respondents to a survey by the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) said they find it easier to be themselves online.

As psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos notes in this video, young people increasingly “crowdsource” their identity online. “Social media, as well as being a way of communicating and connecting, is also a way of gauging what people think about you,” she says. “So, a lot of times, posts are about seeing how accepted you are, how valued you are, where you fit in. Your behaviour online begins to be shaped by the responses that you get.”

Of course, you might get a really positive response. As this article in Pink News shows, Yubo can offer a vital support system. 18-year-old Thee Amir live-streams make-up tutorials on the app and describes joining our community as “life-changing” because of the support he has received from other LGBTQ+ young people.

With almost 30 million users, we have a responsibility to help younger members of the Yubo community to develop a positive identity. The recent UKSIC survey found that a quarter (25%) of 13 to 17-year-olds had been bullied or attacked online because of their sexuality, race, religion, disability or gender identity. We have zero tolerance for bullying and discrimination – we provide industry-leading safety tools and take action against reports of racism, homophobia and other online hate on our platform.

As the BLM protests continue and Pride Month comes to a close, we’re more determined than ever to make Yubo a positive, diverse and compassionate community. That includes supporting young people as they develop their identity and increase their self-esteem. As the famous quote goes, “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken”.

Yubo’s tips for promoting positive identity online

Be proud of who you are – don’t pretend to be something you’re not or filter out any aspects of your life. 

Be kind to others – nasty comments can be extremely hurtful and might even be illegal so always think before you post. 

Be vigilant – if you or someone else experiences discrimination or harassment on Yubo, report it to us immediately so we can take action.

Who am I? Where do I fit in? Who do I want to be? We all ask ourselves these questions. During adolescence, young people start to explore, experiment and figure out who they are. Yubo gives them a voice and a safe environment to discover themselves and the world.

Yubo's Take

Here for all of it.

Gen Z and Voting

Yubo Joins Pink October

Student Activism : Ways To Get Involved In Your Community

In Support of Ukraine

Social justice and Social Media

Let’s Talk Identity