Some students may too young to vote; however, none are too young to take an interest in it.
In the United States, one must be at least 18 to cast a vote in the general election. However, plenty of teenagers, ages 14-17, seem to already have formulated their political opinions. So, why and how do they do this?
Regardless of not being able to cast a vote, senior Fabiola Talavera-Lopez has a strong view on the Nov. 5 election. “I know who and what I support, even though I can’t vote yet,” explains Talavera-Lopez. “But, I believe that it’s important for teens to try to form their own opinions about politics.” Why? Talavera-Lopez goes on to state that it is essential to teach the next generation of voters about politics; therefore, they can make a proper judgment on who they want to be the next President of the United States. “I don’t think it’s helpful to us as a whole to let 18-year-olds walk into the election blind,” insists Talavera-Lopez. “So, I think it’s very important to expose teens to this kind of stuff early on.” Where does she believe most acquire their information? Talavera-Lopez claims that social media is what has the most powerful impact on teenager’s opinions today. “Apps like TikTok and Instagram are what consume our lives, and I strongly believe that’s what influences how we think.”
On the contrary, senior Dakota Simpson believes that parents are the ones who influence their children the most. “When you are raised around a certain idea and are told that is the right thing to do and believe, then you are almost destined to align yourself with those views,”Simpson declares. However, Simpson also goes on to explain that this notion doesn’t apply to everyone. “I mean, of course this doesn’t imply that everyone is this way,” she asserts. “But, children are more likely to believe what their parents believe.”
Whether teenagers form their opinions from social media or their family members, it is important that they are researching the information that they are obtaining; that way, they are more likely to be properly informed. Ways to do this include reading from news sources, publications, and articles that delve into important political topics. Why read about them, as opposed to watching or listening to the information? Generally, written formats go into more depth on the issues at hand. Moreover, the visual ability to read and re-read statements can aid in sifting out the bias. But, an additional method to educate oneself is to read news from all of the political parties involved. That way, one can better align him or herself with a party that shares the same values, while also maintaining a more balanced view.
Republican. Democrat. Independent. It is essential that the new generation inform themselves on political topics that will shape their future. Remember, one of them is going to be the President of the United States someday.
