Serious gaming in creating insight in politics for youth

The Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) found that youth (aged 15-18) have little interest in politics and the decisions coming throughout politics. It appears that only 60-70 percent of 2nd grade high school students talk a few times about politics and societal problems. However, youths aged 18 or older are expected to vote during elections. But do they have sufficient knowledge about political processes to create their own judgement about politics? It is important to create these insights since youths are the face for their own future, and nowadays, beliefs and attitudes can be heavily influenced through the media.

Serious gaming is an upcoming method in several fields with hopeful results. Serious gaming can influence the understanding of the importance of (behavioural) change, and it can help to collect skills needed for this change. Furthermore, it can help to motivate the player to change particular beliefs, thoughts, and/or behaviour. The societal impact of serious gaming can have its effect on exploring and tackling social matters which may results in behavioural change and the development of strategies needed to implement the desired change. Applying serious gaming to the youth can help providing a bigger support base for the government in the future.