“Unheard Voices: The Power Of A Teenager’s Perspective”

Teenagers think, question, and challenge—but the world only listens, never truly hears. Society believes that wisdom comes with age, that only those carrying the tag of “adults” can have valid opinions and make perfect decisions. But that’s not how things work. Experience is valuable, yes—but fresh perspectives can be just as powerful.

Teenagers often bring the sharpest insights, the boldest ideas, and the most unfiltered truths, yet they are brushed off with a simple “You’re too young to understand.” But why? What justifies this ignorance? Is it that society fears the power teenagers hold—the ability to challenge outdated customs and replace them with better ones? Or is it simply an excuse to retain the monopoly of experience? Because if neither of these is true, then what exactly is stopping the world from taking a teenager’s voice seriously?

It’s ironic how people say, “You’re too young for this,” without realizing how much the world has evolved. History is proof that young minds have always had the potential to drive change. From Malala Yousafzai, who fought for girls' education, to Greta Thunberg, who took the world by storm with her climate activism, teenagers have repeatedly proven that age is not a limitation to intelligence, leadership, or impact. Even in the tech world, young minds have revolutionized industries—Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook in college, and numerous young entrepreneurs have developed apps and solutions that shape how we live today.

And yet, when an average teenager tries to voice their opinions in everyday conversations, they are met with dismissive nods and patronizing smiles. Their words are often reduced to “teenage rebellion” rather than seen as a valuable perspective. If teenagers can lead, why can’t they be heard? If they can create, innovate, and inspire, why is their credibility still questioned?

Teenagers today are more aware than ever before. They are exposed to diverse perspectives, cultures, and ideas through the internet, giving them access to information that previous generations never had at such a young age. This exposure has shaped them into critical thinkers, making them capable of analyzing situations beyond what society expects. The traditional argument that teenagers lack experience is no longer valid when they are actively engaging with real-world issues, voicing their concerns on social media, and even influencing policies.

Take, for instance, the wave of youth-led movements across the globe. Whether it’s climate activism, social justice, or political reforms, teenagers have shown that they are not just passive observers of the world but active participants in shaping its future. Despite this, their opinions are often overlooked in serious discussions, and their ideas are not given the same weight as those of adults.

But here’s the reality: Experience does not always equate to wisdom, and youth does not equate to ignorance. In fact, fresh, untainted perspectives can sometimes lead to better solutions than those influenced by years of bias and rigid thinking. The world is constantly changing, and it is the young minds that adapt the fastest, bringing new ideas to the table. By ignoring them, society is only depriving itself of progress.

It is time to change the narrative. Teenagers should not have to wait until they become adults to be taken seriously. Their opinions should be valued now, their ideas encouraged, and their voices amplified. Dismissing them today only delays the solutions of tomorrow.

So, next time a teenager speaks up—LISTEN. Don’t just hear the words; understand them. Because you might just come across something worth remembering.

- Sanskriti Acharya