A new exit poll has highlighted a distinct generational divide in how Irish voters access political information during a general election, with younger voters turning to social media while older voters rely on traditional TV programs.
The findings are part of the RTÉ, The Irish Times, TG4, and Trinity College Dublin Exit Poll, conducted by Ipsos B&A on Friday, 29 November. The poll surveyed 5,018 voters across 253 locations nationwide, covering all 43 Dáil constituencies, with a margin of error of 1.4%.
When asked about the primary sources of political information, 25% of respondents cited television programs, followed by 13% who turned to social media. Other sources included national radio (11%), online news sites (11%), local radio (11%), newspapers (2%), and podcasts (2%). An additional 18% of respondents mentioned “something else,” while 3% did not provide an answer.
The results remained largely consistent across gender and region, but a clear generational gap emerged when breaking down responses by age group.
Among voters aged 18-24, 37% reported using social media as their primary source of political information, while 20% turned to online news sites. Only 17% of this age group relied on TV programs for political details. This trend continued among 25-34-year-olds, with 25% relying on social media and 19% on online news sites, while 20% still preferred television.
In contrast, voters aged 35-49 showed a shift in preferences, with 23% choosing TV programs, compared to just 13% who used social media. Online news sites were also favored by 14% of this age group.
The reliance on traditional media increased further with age. Among 50-64-year-olds, 29% of respondents cited TV programs as their main source, while only 2% used social media and 6% accessed online news. For those over 65, 30% said they relied on TV programs, with 2% turning to online news sites and no respondents citing social media.
The exit poll underscores the growing importance of digital platforms, particularly social media, in shaping the political opinions of younger voters. In contrast, TV remains the dominant source of information for older generations, reflecting broader trends in media consumption across generations.
This generational divide in media usage could have significant implications for political campaigns and communication strategies in future elections.