Activism Can Be Good for Teens—If They Receive Support and Guidance | Research in Action Blog

Teenagers helping to make a difference in their communities is nothing new. But when teens take on hot-button issues, the backlash can be overwhelming and even alarming at times. The intense online criticism of students calling for gun control following the deaths of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., in February may make parents and educators think twice about encouraging teens to speak out. Yet speaking their minds can contribute to teens’ mental wellbeing and even lay the groundwork for success as an adult.