Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should the voting age be 16?
Position‹3 of 3

No, the age requirement should be raised

This position holds that the voting age should be raised, not lowered. It argues that the brain is not fully developed until around 25, that young people are easily manipulated, that 18-29-year-olds already vote at low rates, and that voting should require some life experience.

Supporting arguments · 4

  1. Life experience should be required
    People under twenty haven't had the life experience to understand what they are voting for.
  2. The brain isn't fully developed until 25
    Teenagers do not have a fully developed brain, and so should not be expected to vote rationally.
  3. The age category of 18-29 has very low turnout
    Statistically, young people vote less. Therefore, there is no point allowing them to vote.
  4. Young people are easily influenced and manipulated
    As seen in social media and other forms of online content, young people can too easily be taken advantage of to be entrusted with this right.