Young People Destroying American Politics?

Question

Do you think the young people of the USA, 13-18 yrs, are negatively influencing politics? I read an article that stated young people are making political statements without having any knowledge about the issues. They just go along with what others say - snowball effect. Since young people are the most media savvy, with influence on the internet and in social networks, are they spreading dangerous political propaganda? One example is the 9/11 conspiracy myth. I heard that 95% of those who post comments and opinion on pro 9/11 conspiracy sites are teenagers (95% of posts from which age can be determined) that are not old enough to vote.

Answer 1

We did it in the 60's, why should things change now that we grew up.

Answer 2

There is so much finger wagging going on amongst liberals demonizing President Bush, that it actually creates a climate of mistrust.   Free speech is fine but what we are getting is just disrespect for everyone.  So yes, young may be doing that,  but ultimately it is their mentors who create such acrimony and the office of president should be respected.

Answer 3

Many are opposed to Oil Based Cars and Global Warming.

The ability to change is a problem for older people who drive Oil Based cars. Most teenagers then would  not be old enough to drive either.  The idea of a Non Proliferation Treaty for cars by indicate a nonawreness of political realities.

The 9/11 issue is something again which this answerwer will prove the point by saying no information to found an opinion is all the will be written

Answer 4

We live in the new dark ages. No one reads anything authoritative any more. News comes from "cult of the amateur" blogs and talk radio, which are just like this site, some punks blowing off on hot button topics.

Lately, I am concerned that the children here who keep throwing around the term "socialist", who clearly have no idea what they're saying, aren't just trying to be inflammatory, but actually ARE part of the most terribly informed generation in American history.

Too much attention is being given in school to process, versus content. It's believed that knowing how to use a computer is hallowed and all important. In a sense, it is important to stay current. But what then? Is the content of the standard public school English, history, science or math class as rich as it should be? Signs indicate that they are not. Pretty, shiny container, no content.

Years ago, people were concerned that the use of pocket calculators would eliminate students simple abilty to manually multiply and divide. I think we've seen that. In the same way, typing away on a computer seems to supplant thought, ideation, rationality. Typing away serves one function: It's a way to elbow someone or call someone an idiot. It may be draped in elevated language. It may sound smart. But it's a thoughtless process, like yelling out a car window at pedestrians. Purge. "I feel." All therapeutic process, no content.

Answer 5

I don't think this is a big deal. Kids are stupid, okay? They're really stupid. And ignorant. They haven't been on the Earth long enough to know very much.

The prefrontal cortex (part of brain that's responsible for reasoning) in adolescents and teenagers is underdeveloped. The emotion centers of the brains are more or less developed by that age. Combine that with raging hormones and it's no wonder that teenagers believe 9/11 conspiracy theories.

Parents have always been worried that their kids are dumber than other kids - kids from past generations, kids in other countries, whatever. I wrote a research paper in college about an article from the 1940s claiming that the teenagers of that era were the most misinformed about US history than any previous generation. An article like that appears every five or ten years and everyone gets scared.

Answer 6

Do you have any data on the percentage of those who post comments and opinions on valid sites?  I can say from personal experience that there are some extremely well-informed young people out there who aren't afraid to get involved.  Yes, some are just jumping the bandwagon and heading to town, but there are also really passionate young individuals who have studied, researched, and carefully followed politics.  

As for whether or not someone is old enough to vote, I think that's completely irrelevant.  If they know what they're talking about, they have the right to share.  In fact, since they can't show their voice through a vote, they are already limited in their field of expression.

Don't be too judgmental on the young; eventually, they'll be in charge.

Answer 7

MOST OF THEM PROBABLY HAVE VERY LITTLE IF ANY KNOWLEDGE ABOUT POLITICS

Answer 8

Actually its more of 13-20ish

Most of those kids still think the Vietnam war was caused by Republicans lol

Don't believe me? Ask one.

Answer 9

nO

Answer 10

I doubt that 13-18 yr old U.S. citizens are significantly less informed than older folks.

The results of U.S. elections indicate to me that most people make their electoral decisions from a standpoint of ignorance: not just the very young.