Research in the UK has found the majority of today’s teenagers, along with their teachers, believe they are more concerned about social issues than previous generations.

Countering the negative stereotypes surrounding the use of social media by teenagers, the report found it had become an important tool in how young people engaged with the political process and social issues.

According to a survey of 1000 14-17 year olds and 500 teachers conducted by the thinktank Demos, 80% of the teenagers believed their generation was more concerned about social issues than previous generations. 66% of the teachers surveyed agreed.

“While teenagers are seen as more engaged in social issues than previous generations, they do not think that traditional politics is the most effective means of tackling social issues,’’ said the report.

But while young people were less engaged with “traditional” politics, the report found they were “committed to effecting change through digital engagement, social action and social enterprise”.

The survey found 37% of the teenagers had also volunteered in some capacity.

Among some of the recommendations in the report were for:

• Politicians to be more effective in using social media to encourage young people to register to vote.
• To embed “social action” into the school curriculum.

“The evidence also suggests that social action can help to reengage young people with the political process and build skills that will help them compete in a competitive workplace,’’ the report said.