Teenagers often struggle to find their place in current social events. Whether they are scared for their future or feel like the world is slipping out of their control, they’re not sure how to change anything. It’s supposed to be the job of adults to create a future for the younger generation and to make sure the world is a safe place to grow up. 

What happens when the adults in charge aren’t doing enough? Current teen activism is rooted in a sense of anxiety about the future. Teens face the challenges of our time and are not just fighting for change, but they are trying to overcome the fear that the world will be irreversibly damaged by events they feel powerless to combat.

One of the most spoken about issues online is climate change. For many teenagers, the climate crisis represents a nearly-irreversible threat. Wildfires, floods, hurricanes and rising sea levels are seen as immediate dangers that threaten their lives and futures. They worry that world leaders are not taking enough action, and teens are trying to step up for climate justice, but that comes with fear that their voices will go unheard. 

Beyond climate change, racial division is another issue driving teen activism. The deaths of Black Americans like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, as well as the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, created a generation of people demanding justice and equality. Many teens used their platforms during 2020 to speak out against systemic racism and police brutality.

Another issue that affects teen activism today is mental health. Statistically, anxiety, depression and suicide have all increased in teens over the years. Social media, academic pressures and society’s expectations have caused teens to feel overwhelmed and disconnected. Teens are waiting for more access to mental health resources along with supportive school environments that prioritize well-being over perfection. 

Additionally, access to education and the burden of student debt are other major concerns for soon-to-be high-school graduates. As the cost of education grows, students worry they won’t be able to afford to build a future. Even with a solid education, they are anxious about whether their degrees will lead to secure careers or if they will be in debt that prevents them from having financial freedom. 

For many teenagers, these social and political crises create an internal struggle, and however passionate and driven they may be, they know that more often than not their words go unheard and are faced with a sense of powerlessness. Teen activists are often frustrated by the lack of action from older generations and the fear that they may have to live in a world that is worse off than it is today.

It’s become a trend to write on the school’s bathroom stalls, which doesn’t seem so abnormal for teens, but a lot of what I see is how they feel they have no control over current world issues or that they feel like the government doesn’t care about their rights or voices. This anxiety is heightened by social media, where every crisis is broadcasted and the flood of information can sometimes feel like a constant reminder of their situations.

People at any age can make change, small acts can add up to a big impact. Many teens use social media to spread their message and make change. Social media can be a powerful tool for organizing campaigns, raising awareness or building a movement. Certain platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube or X allow people to engage with a broader audience. 

School-based protests like “School strike for climate” in 2018, inspired by Greta Thunberg, was a  youth-led climate protest spread globally with millions participating across 163 countries and seven continents can also allow people to engage in peaceful protests or awareness campaigns to help spread the message. 

In the end, even if there are factors that restrict someone from going out or speaking publicly, the most important thing is to stay educated on current world issues. Activism requires understanding of the issues at hand. A good way to do this would be with books, documentaries and reliable news sources.