Story by Maxwell Silverman, artwork by Mallika Sunder. More resources for youth activism at www.teensbeheard.org

Many have heard the saying that “children are our future”. This statement holds truth in many ways; however it seems to disregard the fact that these “children” are an active part of society today. While they may not be of voting age, “political” issues still very much have an effect on teens and it is important for people of all ages to realize that teens are capable of creating change in many ways beyond elections.

The United States Census does not directly collect information on a “teen” group; but, in 2019, adolescents (defined by ages 10-19) made up almost 13% of the U.S. population. Looking at the smaller breakup of that group (ages 10-14 and 15-19), it can be estimated that non-voting teens (ages 13-17) make up around 6% of the U.S. population. 6% may not sound like a lot, but that is over 20 million people. Many of these 20 million teens are often told that they are “too young” to worry about politics or current events. But today, with the presence of social media, teens are more exposed to and immersed in current events than ever before.

The constant reminders of racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, and other forms of hate spilling out of politics and into the media create a sense of unease and anxiety among teens. This, combined with the common notion that teens are “too young” to be concerned with these issues, causes a sense of hopelessness and leaves teens feeling like there is nothing they can do to insight change. This cycle has been part of what allows hate and inequity to continue to exist in society today.

If people keep saying, “children are our future”, they imply that those children must wait until adulthood to begin making change. It procrastinates the need for change and allows more issues to arise in times of inaction. In reality, children and teens are our present. They have the power to protest, to petition, and to challenge hate and inequity. Change starts with young people and it starts today because these issues are affecting young people today.

FOR TEENS: You must begin to realize the impact you have on society. The smallest of gestures (calling out a friend or family member over a remark, buying environmentally friendly products, boycotting unethical businesses, etc.) can make such a large impact. Nobody is expecting you to be the next great activist of the decade, but small steps toward becoming more involved in social justice will bring much-needed change.

FOR ADULTS: Be open to the ideas that young people in your community contribute. Although it may seem awkward to be informed by someone younger than yourself, much of the time young people have completely different perspectives from which you may learn a lot. Help uplift the teens in your life and encourage conversation around social justice issues. And remember: you vote on behalf of yourself and the teens in your life. So, ask them about their political views and who they want to see as a leader when they become adults.

Maxwell Silverman is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Teens Be Heard (TBH), a student-led organization focused on engaging teens below eligible voting-age in meaningful activism in order to create a more equitable society. Learn more about TBH and how to be a part of change at www.teensbeheard.org