Participation by young citizens in government issues is reportedly low across the globe, despite the move, by a number of countries, to Internet-based activity. If such a disengaged generation continues to choose not to participate and perhaps influence future generations to follow suit, then what lies ahead for the government and society of tomorrow? This article will draw from relevant literature and empirical research conducted with local councils, based in North England, and young people to assess the potential of the mobile phone, specifically SMS text messaging, as a tool with which to engage and support young citizens. The mobile phone is a technology that has been adopted world wide with vigour especially by young people with SMS text messaging being the phenomenon of the 21^st Century. The research suggests that SMS text messaging is a viable tool to use in order to engage young people. However, there are considerations that need to be made for it to be successful in use with government issues. Predominantly more research needs to be conducted on the relationship between young people and government before any such technologies will be of benefit.