Major events happen around the world that could shape the rest of our future every day. Paying attention to world problems can help young teens comprehend the world they are growing up in.
People often question whether it is actually important to keep up with world problems as a teenager; the short answer is yes. With teenagers keeping up with world problems, they are able to form individual opinions without having the pressure of others persuading them into different views. It also allows them to think about the world outside of their life and how other people could be struggling. It builds compassion and critical thinking.
“It’s definitely important to keep up with world issues because when you’re not educated on what’s going on in the world, you don’t see what other people are facing. You’re kind of stuck in a bubble and not able to express empathy for others,” sophomore Adeline Osborne said.
Friendships can be hard when you do not share the same views on certain problems. It is easy to say, “Well, we do not share the same views, so we should not talk to each other.” However, in reality, that is not how relationships usually work, especially at a young age. Maturing means understanding that not everyone’s opinions align with yours, which does not necessarily invalidate your opinion or theirs.
“I don’t think that [opinions] should affect who you interact with. I think that as a teenager, people’s views on world problems can be swayed in certain ways, so I feel like who you interact with shouldn’t solely depend on their certain views on world issues,” freshman Maxwell Corley said.
World problems can be a heavy subject for young teens. It causes worry or could project this negative energy into the world. Although these things could happen, teens need to be informed. Knowing about the situations happening across the globe prepares these teenagers for adulthood and for what the future could look like. Still, the responsibility of staying informed can often add more to an already stressed teenager’s plate.
“I think it can affect teens mentally. But at the same time, I also think it’s necessary to do it because you don’t want to be so ignorant of the world. I do think there is a limit to where it can get to the point where it does more harm than good,” Osborne said.
There are tons of ways that teens can keep up with world problems. With technology being so advanced, teenagers are able to go on any social media platform and research the latest news. Staying informed about problems around the world as a teenager can be difficult, but overall, it is more beneficial than damaging. Global awareness teaches teenagers to have empathy for others, along with inspiring future goals.
