How often do our actions actually align with our words? We’ve reached a common consensus that “actions speak louder than words,” yet somehow we frequently fail to live up to this ideal. In politics in particular, this mistake can be damaging.

As the political climate becomes increasingly polarized but actually relatable to our everyday lives, young people must start to align their actions with their claims and views. Anyone can speak on election results and interest group events, but few people actually take the time to educate themselves fully, and partake in the events and actions they stand for.

According to Pew Research Center, Americans are not actually as educated on our government as they may believe. Only 66% of Americans know which party currently controls the House of Representatives, and only 40% of people can accurately identify the length of a full Senate term.

As social media increases American political engagement, is it still permissible to have such a large portion of American voters uneducated on the functions of their government?

Peter Levine, director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning & Engagement, or CIRCLE, said, “New research demonstrates the urgency of better civic education in schools and community-based organizations that include youth.”

It is a fact that, historically, young people have been less interested in politics and government. Despite this, social media engagement and impact over just this last election skyrocketed. In just 2023, over half of Americans reported getting their news from social media at least some of the time. High school students use TikTok more than other social media platforms to access their news and share their opinions.

As political discourse becomes more accessible through platforms like TikTok and Twitter, young people have a unique opportunity to make their voices heard.

But while sharing an opinion online is easy, it’s important to recognize that political engagement requires more than just posting a hashtag or commenting on viral videos.

True participation demands active involvement, whether that’s voting, advocating for policies, or even engaging in local community efforts. The power of a single tweet or a viral TikTok may seem compelling, but it’s the sustained effort in real-world actions that creates meaningful change.

The recent youth-led pro-life and racial justice movements are perfect examples. The results when students engage and respond are incredible.

An online website called Students For Life aims to educate and encourage students to stand for what they claim they do. They hire young-adult interns and staff members and prepare them for continuous engagement and activism. Now, pro-life rallies are drawing buses full of students, and, this time, it’s aligning with the numbers, which indicate that 39% of pro-life supporters are young adults. 

Likewise, organizations like the NAACP have also seen a large draw of students and the positive impact it creates. The death of George Floyd caused surges of protests and spurred engagement with high school students. Students organized and led operations to call out racism in their schools, change curriculum, and protest police brutality. Many students reflected on the positive change their persistence and activism brought about, and many more urge other students to continue participating.

These aren’t just Twitter hashtags. They are a call to action that requires both digital and physical involvement. Student’s voices are loud once we use them with education and with purpose.

The political issues we debate now will affect the younger generations longer than the older ones. The decisions made today will influence our futures. By remaining passive, we risk allowing decisions to be made without our input, or worse, without fully understanding the long-term consequences. 

This is exactly why it is important to move beyond the role of passive observer and uneducated responder and take an active role in shaping our environment. Taking the first step in political involvement starts by making more than just general political education a priority. While many assume they’re already aware and informed thanks to social media, real political engagement demands deeper learning. 

This means seeking out trustworthy news sources, attending town hall meetings, and getting involved in local organizations that align with your values. Take advantage of online education and activation platforms, or start a just as powerful local organization on your own. By doing so, you can easily turn your online opinions into tangible action.

To truly influence the political landscape, it’s essential to move from passive consumption to active participation. The responsibility is not just to vote, but to understand the policies and leaders shaping that vote. By doing so, students will not only feel empowered for change but realize the power in their voices. It’s far easier than you may think to meet with your State Representative to discuss an issue you have.

Every opinion and every side should begin to harness their loud voices and position themselves to drive the change they seek. Our educated and informed engagement right now will ultimately be the difference between a loud opinion and a lasting impact.