This year, nearly 41 million Gen Zers will now be old enough to vote, which includes 8.3 million newly eligible voters. While we often hear the rhetoric that teens these days don’t care about anything but their social media followings, nothing could be further from the truth. They’re engaged, politically aware, and even savvy, which is likely why, Gen Z votes at higher rates than previous generations, too.
This election is massively consequential, and many teens, even those who aren’t old enough to vote, want to get more politically involved. While 18 is the legal voting age, teens who haven’t reached adulthood shouldn’t feel like there is nothing they can do to engage with politics. The truth is, plenty of actions can help teens feel involved and empowered. And, they’re powerful contributions, too.
5 Political action items teens can take
1. Email Elected Officials
Teens don’t just know how to use computers these days. They’re the most internet-savvy generation that’s ever existed. Most teens have email accounts and are well-equipped at using them. That means they have a legitimate avenue for connecting with political leaders. They can write letters to local officials about issues impacting their cities. Or, they can reach out to Congress to make their voices heard about global happenings, like the genocide in the Middle East. Either way, writing letters to electors has never been easier, and it’s a great way for teens to feel like they’re holding their leaders accountable.
2. Attend a Protest or March
Going to your first protest or march feels like an awakening — a bit like your first concert does. Suddenly, you go from feeling small and helpless to feeling inspired and connected to people in a new and powerful way. Being around like-minded people who are using their presence and their voices to send a message can help teens realize that how they show up for their community, for the vulnerable, and to show solidarity in numbers, can be life-changing. So, if you take your teen to a march or protest, don’t be surprised if they start filling up your schedule with more political events. It’s certainly not a bad thing. But it sure is time-consuming.
3. Talk politics
Not every action requires leaving the house or even picking up the phone. Simply encouraging your teen to talk about their views is important. You can start conversations by talking about important issues in the news or sharing personal experiences that shaped your views. The truth is, kids are growing up in turbulent political times. Talking politics is more intimidating now than ever before. But that’s also why encouraging conversations that lead to growth and understanding is more important now than ever, too.
4. Create, create, create
Teens are the ultimate creators. From making crafts like pins, mugs, or even signs to creating content online, they always have ideas to pull from. But creating with a political slant can turn a fun activity into an action item! Whether it’s making a TikTok video with friends about why women’s rights matter, or spending an afternoon with markers and poster boards making beautiful signs, expression matters.
5. Do something
Here’s the thing: doing something is always better than doing nothing. It doesn’t matter what the action is. The point is to feel helpful rather than helpless. One movement, in particular, called Do Something, gets that. The site is designed with teens in mind and has a simple prompt to help them find action items that appeal to their interests and concerns. All they have to do is insert the causes they care about and what kinds of actions they’d be interested in, and a curated list will help them narrow down their choices.
Political Action Items for Teens: Every Effort Counts
Teens these days get called out for a lot, from their make-up routines to their slang to their constant connectedness online. But the truth is, while they might do and say some things we don’t understand, they are fierce and dialed in. They often know about global happenings before their parents do, and they care deeply about the world that they’re growing up in. So, don’t make the mistake of thinking that they don’t. Encourage political action no matter how small. And keep the dinnertime conversations flowing.
