During the teen years, passions shine through. As time goes on, we are seeing more and more young people standing up for what they believe in and making an effort to be involved with causes they care about. But how can teens advocate without being old enough to vote?

In our TLC workshops, we like to call this being a “peaceful warrior.” This means showing up and standing up for what you believe in. A peaceful warrior creates action, researches solutions (and talks to others about them), uses social media for good purposes, and aligns with others that are working towards the same goals.

Luckily, voting in elections isn’t the only way to become a peaceful warrior. There are so many other ways for teens to responsibly and effectively speak up for what is important to them. 

Stay Informed

One of the most important things anyone, but especially young people, can do is to stay educated. With so much information available on social media, it can be hard to distinguish the truth. Reading multiple sources, fact checking, and talking with those around them can really help teens stay informed to ensure they are forming opinions based on their own research, rather than just what is being told to them.

Sign Petitions

No matter what the cause, there is likely a petition already started, and if not, it’s easy to start one! The internet makes signing petitions easily accessible and is a great way for teens to make a difference even if they aren’t able to vote. Change.org and We the People are a few of the largest petition sites, but there are so many more to choose from.

Use Social Media For Good

Although social media can be a place of misinformation and negativity, it can also be a place to spread awareness and create positive change. Sharing petitions or educational resources is a great way to let others know about an important issue and can help clear up any misconceptions that may be spread online. Teens are one of the largest age groups on social media, so spreading helpful information like voting registration deadlines, polling places, or policy changes can really make an impact.

Have Meaningful Conversations

Although much of our communication is online these days, having one-on-one conversations with others, who may or may not share their opinions, is important. During the teen years, learning to speak diplomatically with others who may not agree with them is a powerful skill that they can carry through life. Be sure to have open conversations with your teen about politics, human rights issues, or anything you are passionate about. This is the best way for both them, and you, to learn and grow.

A big part of being an advocate for change is being confident, understanding, and dedicated. These skills will carry throughout teens’ lives and allow them to make a big impact on the world.

At Tilly’s Life Center, we value these skills and encourage students to stand up for what they believe is right. To register for our virtual workshops, head to our website: https://tillyslifecenter.org/