BCS warns of 'politically disenfranchised' youth

Half of all 18 to 24 year-olds are not even registered to vote

The BCS Chartered Institute for IT is pushing to get more young people involved in politics through the use of technology.

The organisation said that young people will become "politically disenfranchised unless they harness technology to access political information and get involved in the political process".

The BCS will work with YouthNet, a charity that aims to help young people make informed choices by providing them with information, as part of the Savvy Citizens campaign.

Half of all 18 to 24 year-olds are not even registered to vote, according to the BCS, and just over a third believe that politics is a waste of time.

"It is anachronistic that young people, probably the most digitally enabled in society, are not making use of the new platforms to get savvy and participate in the political process," said BCS president Elizabeth Sparrow.

"With the Savvy Citizens campaign the BCS hopes that more young people will play an active part in their futures by using the internet to get savvier about the political process."

Fiona Dawe, chief executive at YouthNet, added: "Through our services we know that many young people are interested in politics and are passionate about issues affecting all of us. What's important is that politics is accessible to people of all ages."

The BCS has launched a number of supporting web sites, including a Facebook page.