Today’s teens are outspoken about what they believe in, passionate about social justice, and committed to societal change. In fact, 81% of youth believe they can make a difference in their community, according to research from Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), which surveyed more than 130,000 kids and teens to build the largest data set on youth in the United States.
Youth activism is important for addressing current issues and cultivating a generation of informed citizens who are able to shape the trajectory of our society for the better.
If you have any teenagers in your life, you probably already know how deeply the youth of today care about what’s going on in our world. Here are 4 ways you can support teens who are passionate about today’s issues:
Show interest in the issues they care about
When teens are passionate about particular causes or issues, engage with them, ask questions, and find out why they care about those topics. You can also ask them to share articles or other resources so you can learn more about issues you may not be as familiar with. Being open to learning and having meaningful discussions with your teens will help you gain a deeper insight into the causes they care about.
You should also be willing to take your teens seriously. Adults can sometimes patronize young people or trivialize their passions, even without meaning to, because they believe teens have not had enough life experience to take a stand on important issues or don’t have the potential to engage in impactful activism. In reality, young people care deeply about issues that affect them and about injustices they see in the world. Additionally, youth activists can make a real difference in society — just look at education activist Malala Yousafzai, environmental activist Greta Thunberg, or gun control activist David Hogg.
Did You Know? When it comes to the issues teens care about most, racial justice, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ issues top the list.
Encourage research and critical thinking
Make sure your teens have the tools to think critically about the topics they learn about and are interested in. BGCA’s survey findings say teens are more likely to get their news from social media over any other source, even family or friends. Social media is a great way to learn about a variety of topics in a concise way, but some of the nuances around complicated social issues can get lost. Plus, they should make sure to check that what they are reading on social media is true.
Encouraging your teens to engage in critical thinking will help them develop the skills they need to analyze and evaluate information. Challenge them to question their assumptions and consider viewpoints that contradict their own. Even if they are steadfast in their opinions, considering alternate perspectives will help them gain a better understanding of the issue and become more persuasive communicators.
*Read more: 4 Ways To Identify Misinformation On Social Media
Promote constructive disagreement
Disagreement over social issues is inevitable. Maybe you even disagree on a topic your teens are passionate about. The key to navigating disagreement is for all parties to be respectful and open-minded. Encourage an open dialogue where differing opinions are welcome and everyone has a chance to explain their point of view.
Help your teens become responsible citizens and activists by setting a positive example. Sometimes the disagreement comes from someone else, in which case you still have the opportunity to model respectful dialogue for your teens. Getting angry and arguing, especially on social media, rarely leads to positive or constructive outcomes. Approaching disagreement with the desire to learn and grow, not just confront, is important for enacting societal change.
Empower them with actionable steps
Teens may have a lot of passion regarding social justice issues, but they don’t always know how to turn those feelings into action. It can be difficult for anyone, regardless of how old they are, to know how to navigate complex social problems, but you can support your teens by helping them create a plan that will address the issues they care about and make an impact in the community.
While teens may want to change the world, it can be helpful for them to learn the power of local politics. Local politics directly impacts the communities we live in and influences a wide range of issues such as public services, education, and environmental policies. Getting involved in local politics also provides teens with a tangible platform for their activism. For example, they can make their voices heard by participating in a protest or sit-in, attending city council meetings, engaging in community forums, and writing letters (or sending emails) to local legislators.
By supporting teens in their activism, you can foster their personal growth and empower them to become caring, responsible citizens and leaders. Not only that, but you also help them shape a community that reflects their values.
