Online and in person: How are candidates trying to win over young people?

Catherine Connolly (left) and Heather Humphreys are going head to head in the Irish presidential election

Irish voters will soon decide who they want as Irish president - Heather Humphreys or Catherine Connolly.

The two candidates will also have to convince young voters, but what will win them over?

The person who knocks their door or what they see on their phone?

BBC News NI asked two young people involved - one campaigning for each of the candidates - if they think social media is more effective than traditional canvassing.

Team Humphreys

James Turley is campaigning for Heather Humphreys

James Turley, 23, is the chair of Dublin-Rathdown Young Fine Gael and is on the campaign trail for Heather Humphreys.

He is relatively new to political campaigning and says it's important not to get too carried away with social media's benefits.

"Social media can be a litmus test to see what people think, but you need to be careful it's not the only one," he said.

"Social media gives you simplicity but there are no simple answers for complex problems," he added.

This is Mr Turley's second foray into electioneering having volunteered for a friend in last year's general election in Ireland.

"You can't ignore traditional canvassing techniques. You can't only get feedback online."

Through canvassing, he has met a diverse range of people.

"Online media is excellent for people getting into politics, but it's less beneficial once you are involved because it can get you into an echo-chamber and blinker you.".

Team Connolly

Aoife Kilbane McGowan is campaigning for Catherine Connolly

Aoife Kilbane McGowan, 23, helps run the Youth for Connolly Instagram page.

She said there is a role for both types of campaigning but added that social media allows you to engage directly with young people on their own terms.

"The internet and social media in a political campaign is quite new. It presents an immense opportunity to engage young people in a way where they feel they are constantly plugged into the campaign."

Ms Kilbane McGowan believes this encourages young people to watch the debates, allowing them to show active support for their candidate.

"Social media and new technologies have their own challenges [but] it has more advantages than disadvantages in terms of meeting people and getting the message across," she added.

Social media hits and misses

Both camps said it was important to show the person as well as the politician.

Mr Turley said Humphreys was very much rooted in her community and that posts like one of her last week pumpkin picking with her grandchildren showed her personality.

"There is an authenticity to it, it's something you can't fake, and people see that when they look at social media," he added.

He said that the core of politics is about people and that this starts with working to make things better for your own family.

"In Heather's case, whenever she meets people in public, she seems to be the same person; she connects with people individually."

The Connolly campaign has seen viral moments including videos of her doing keepie uppies and playing basketball with young people.

Ms Kilbane McGowan said using this social media lever allowed people feel a personal connection with the candidate.

However, there have been some mishits.

For Heather Humphreys it was the publication of video of a visit to Belfast that mistook the Berlin Reichstag for Belfast City Hall.

James Turley said that people make mistakes and that social media can blow things out of proportion, especially in a two-candidate race.

"With social media gaffes it's always important to have a laugh and then get back to the serious business of why you might be voting for one candidate or another."

He added: "What gets lost in this discussion is that it's always important to get involved in politics regardless of what you think."

The Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, accidentally featured in Heather Humphry's campaign video

For Catherine Connolly, the campaign posted a video with an unauthorised clip of President Michael D Higgins which they had to remove and later re-post without the clip in it.

"Everyone makes mistakes and moves forward," Ms Kilbane McGowan said.

"Catherine's message is still getting out there."

'Buzz in the air'

As Friday's polling day approach, both campaigners said old-fashioned campaigning still had its place.

James Turley said there was no substitute to "getting out there and meeting your neighbours".

"There is a real buzz in the air and an unprecedented amount of engagement from young people," added Ms Kilbane McGowan.