Voice of Real Australia: What's behind Generation Z's lack of political knowledge?

Adults are always complaining about how paying tax and bills was never taught in school, but what about politics?

It feels like once everyone turns 18 they are expected to magically wake up and know how to vote.

Growing up with a family that religiously watched the news, it has always been clear to me how little people my age know about politics and how little we are taught in school.

A lot of my friends don't even know there is an upcoming election in NSW, let alone who is running and their policies.

I hope that schools introduce mandatory teaching in high school on how to vote and the basics of politics.

Surely politicians will be more at ease if they know young voters are not just ticking random boxes on the ballot paper?

Another issue which I think contributes to young people's lack of political knowledge is social media.

As a 15-year-old I am a big social media user and see the positives to it. However, I find it has reduced my attention span, meaning it is harder to sit through a whole news segment or read a whole article.

Social media can also be a bit of a rabbit hole when it comes to news.

The algorithm will show you what you want to see, meaning the news might be one-sided. I find young people can form opinions easily, so this 'rabbit hole' way of receiving news can be dangerous for teens.

However, the politicians form part of the issue too. I find little they address is relevant to people my age, so no one has any interest.

I think politicians need to wake up to the fact that just because they are not getting teenager's votes yet, does not mean our opinions and voices do not matter.

Also, if politicians used less complicated language and actually answered the questions they were asked, then maybe we would be more informed.

Judging by how a lot of my peers and I feel, I think the most relevant topic to my generation is climate change.

We are told by adults we will be the ones living with the worst effects of climate change. I think my generation accepts climate change as an inevitable future problem.

With this reality, the steps governments are taking are not enough.

We are the future voters and future of Australia. Politicians need to listen more to the issues important to us.

Young & Regional: My Vote Matters is an engaging and non-partisan multimedia ACM series focusing on the new generation of voters in our regional towns and cities as they consider the issues and candidates they will support at the March 25 election. Young people living in regional areas are key to a thriving NSW. They are the farmers, teachers, nurses, small business owners, tradesmen and women and police officers who will ensure the state is fed, healthy and sustainable. Their voice matters and their vote matters.