No matter your age, activism is important.

Someone’s age does not mean that their opinion isn’t important, especially if that opinion is backed by facts and reason.

I would much rather have a group of teenagers demanding women’s rights, gun control and civil rights instead of apathetic students that grow up into apathetic adults.

These kids can change the world, and they are showing that every single day.

Kids that are active in what is happening in the world is never a bad thing, but I see parents shaming children all the time for their beliefs. Well, at least for their liberal beliefs.

What baffles me the most about kids voicing their political and social concerns is the idea that these kids don’t come up with these opinions on their own. Somehow, these young adults are not capable of forming a logical opinion, but yet when the clock strikes 18, they can purchase a gun. That seems contradictory.

In my own experience, I started to have differing views from my parents when I was around 12 years old, and yes, my parents disagreed with some of my beliefs, but they respected that I had them anyway. As long as I educated myself about the issue, everything was fine.

If parents and adults continue to stifle the minds of young activists, what kind of world will ours become?

Kids can accomplish so much more in the world. I believe this because they have hearts of gold and aren’t so susceptible to the negativity adults are. Young activists have already accomplished so much, despite how much the world tried to silence them.

Malala Yousafzai has been an activist for education since she was 11, and her activism got her shot. She persisted and now meets with world leaders and has her own fund that helps young girls get an education.

Asean Johnson, a 14-year-old boy from Chicago, fought for public schools in his city. While the city was trying to close down schools, his work helped keep some of the doors open. The young boy even spoke at the March on Washington for public education.

Ethan McNamee, now 14, organized a gay marriage rally at the Colorado State Capital for legalizing gay marriage.

If children under the legal age to vote can make an impact, I don’t see why anyone would view them having an opinion as a bad thing. It’s our job to nurture this kind of behavior.

I will use the cliché because I think it’s appropriate — children are the future.