Teen Activism 101: Ways You Can Make a Difference
It's never too early to become engaged within your community and involved with the issues that matter to you. Here are some resources that can help you evaluate news sources, volunteer, register to vote, participate in local, state, and national elections, and more.
Vote
Check these websites out to learn how to register to vote or check your registration status, how to request an absentee ballot or vote by mail, where to find your polling location, and other ways to get involved within the election process:
Rock the Vote - This site offers a wide range of resources on the voting and registration processes, voting FAQs, how to educate yourself and your friends on how to get involved, and how to take action on issues facing your community.
Vote.org - Find tools to vote, election deadlines and dates, voting rules and regulations, how to become a poll worker, and more.
Mass.gov - Make your voice heard. Learn how to register to vote, find your polling place, and more.
Middleborough Election & Voter Information - Learn how the election process works within the town of Middleborough and how to participate within local elections.
YouthVoterMovement.org - A nonpartisan effort to promote youth voting - learn how to spread the word and get your friends engaged in the voting process.
Read more about voting and elections
Get the facts
Infographic: How To Spot Fake News - from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
Rutgers Evaluating News Resources - This guide through Rutgers Univeristy covers how to evaluate news sources, identify misinformation & disinformation, recognize fake news and clickbait articles, and how to fact check sources that you may be unsure about.
PolitiFact - This fact-checking website covers statements and quotes from elected officials, political commentators, and more and evaluates the accuracy of them through their "Truth-o-Meter".
Snopes - Heard a story that seems too good (or strange) to be true? Check the validity of it through this site, which covers common urban legends and stories gone viral, and gives a verdict on if it's fact or fiction.
Reverse Image Search - Did a friend share a shocking image on Facebook, but you're not quite sure where it came from or if it's current, or perhaps even been photoshopped? Try Google's "Reverse Image Search" feature - simply upload the image to see other posts in which it has been shared or used in the past, to determine the truthfulness of that meme.
Read more about fake news
Take action
There's always something you can do to help bring about change, from volunteering and contacting your elected officials to protesting and spreading awareness.
What is activism? Activism is the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.
Youth Activism Project - This organization helps to empower youth to become activists and leaders, and supports them on their journey to be engaged with the issues that are important to them, They offer online training and workshops about activism for teens, provide support to budding activists, and offer many resources on how to get involved within their community.
Contact Your Elected Officials - This usa.gov resource provides links to help you get in contact with your elected officials so you can contact your representatives to let them know about what matters to you, and how they can make sure your voice is heard.
Do Something - This non-profit seeks to encourage youth to achieve the change they want to see in the world by participating in campaigns that matter to them, and also to apply for scholarships along the way.
Get inspired
Teen activists around the globe are speaking out and fighting for what they believe in. You can too.
Read about other teens who are changing the world.
Three Black Youth Activists on Organizing, Educating, and The Change They Hope To See - From the March for Our Lives to the climate strikes to today’s new wave of Black Lives Matter protests, young people have led the charge for change
12 Kid Activists Who Are Changing Their Communities and Our World - 12 kids and teens from around the world who have noticed problems in their communities or countries and are working to solve them
Seven Young Activists to Watch Ahead of the 2020 Elections - From climate change to gun control, a new generation of activists is holding elected officials accountable for crises that they’ve helped create
4 Teen Activists You Should Be Following on Social - Greta Thunberg, Jamie Margolin, Xiye Bastida, and Kevin J. Patel are taking action on the issue of climate change
Read more about activists and their causes
Looking for more recommendations? Contact Teen Librarian Chris Dargelis at cdargeli@sailsinc.org