Wednesday morning in my U.S. government and politics class, a seemingly simple question from my teacher stirred an unexpectedly heavy silence: “Who watched the presidential debate on Tuesday, Sept. 10?”
One by one, my classmates responded with reasons ranging from soccer practice and art class to piles of homework. Each excuse was valid — a slice of our busy teenage lives — but together, they revealed a troubling pattern: Very few students, if any, had watched the debate. Not even snippets or highlights. Yet, to me, it wasn’t just about missing a televised “political event.”
It was about missing a vital aspect of civic engagement.
As a senior, this realization hits hard. Most of us will turn 18 this year, finally old enough to vote and, along with it, the responsibility to shape our future. But how can we uphold a democratic society, let alone an informed one, if we aren’t even tuned in to the news? How can we be trusted to make decisions that will guide the nation if we’re disconnected from the conversations that matter most?
It’s a scary thought, but it’s an increasingly common reality. Even more alarming is how my generation — Gen Z, those of us born between 1996 and 2010 — consumes the news when we do bother to engage. Our sources aren’t The New York Times or The Washington Post; in fact, they aren’t news sites at all.
According to the Pew Research Center, about one-third of Americans aged 18 to 29 regularly get their news from TikTok. Social media offers quick, accessible snippets, but it demands a critical eye and media literacy skills that many of us simply haven’t developed. The result? A generation consuming content curated by algorithms, designed not for accuracy but for engagement, clicks and likes.
Recommended for you
Last night, after watching the presidential debate on ABC News, I scrolled through TikTok to unwind. I was immediately bombarded by videos about Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. Accounts like @kamalahq, boasting over 4 million followers, churned out pro-Harris content set to trending music, complete with memes and jokes, often at the expense of Republican nominee Donald Trump. One video in particular stood out: a slide reading “Tonight a convicted felon will debate,” alongside a photo of Trump, followed by another slide of Harris labeled “a prosecutor.” The comments were filled with mocking laughter and “LMAO,” reflecting a narrative less about understanding and more about ridicule.
It was then that I realized how much politics has become entertainment for my generation. We engage with it through the lens of celebrities and influencers rather than through direct civic involvement. Candidates gain support not because of their policies but because our favorite stars endorse them. Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Harris, for example, dominated conversations among my friends, overshadowing any substantive discussion of the debate itself. My Instagram feed was filled with memes referencing Swift’s “Childless Cat Lady” comment — a playful jab that was far more memorable than any policy stance Harris actually took.
And it’s not just Harris or Swift — the broader conversation often drifts into the absurd. I saw more about Trump’s outlandish and false claims — like bizarre statements about “immigrants eating pets” or “executing babies” — than any real discussion of policy. It feels as if the genuine issues facing our country are buried beneath sensational sound bites and clickbait, reducing the serious business of democracy to a string of viral moments.
I’m worried we’re missing the point. In a world that increasingly values the quick hit of dopamine from a “like” or a share, what happens to our commitment to the slow, deliberate work of being informed citizens? Democracy isn’t just about casting a vote during Election Day. We must engage with the complex, often uncomfortable truths of our society that requires more than just scrolling through social media.
As young people, we’re poised to inherit a world that needs thoughtful, informed leadership more than ever. But if we’re not even willing to watch a debate, how can we expect to take on that responsibility? We owe it to ourselves — and to one another — to do better, to look beyond influencers and viral videos, and to engage deeply with the issues that truly matter. Even Taylor Swift, in her endorsement, urged us to “do your research.” If we don’t, we risk becoming not just uninformed voters, but a generation that’s lost sight of what it truly means to be part of a democracy.
Jeannine Chang is a senior at Burlingame High School. Student News appears in the weekend edition. You can email Student News at news@smdailyjournal.com.
Thanks for the thoughtful column! My hope for the future is that something like Tik Tok sparks people's interest in a topic and they then dig deeper to learn more. I know that for me, when I see something on social media it is usually just the beginning of my research. I look forward to reading more from you in the coming months!!
Thanks for your column, Ms. Chiang. I can understand the disconnect from civic engagement because students don’t really have a say in what policies, good or bad, they’ll be forced to endure. For adults, they get the government they vote or not vote for. I’d recommend that when you are able to vote – vote. Although, just like in school it’s up to you to do the homework to achieve the results you’d like to see. As you’ve described, there are plenty of folks who will use whatever means necessary (including lies) to obtain your vote – whether it’s in your interest or not. Don’t be lazy about doing research. Learn what a potential candidate has done in the past. Do they only talk the talk or do they walk the walk? Anyone can talk but talking the talk won’t make your life better. For insight, I’d recommend talking to your parents or other folks about what’s going on now and who they’re voting for, whether national, state, or local – as a practice run to prepare you for your new voting future. Good luck!
Great column Jeannine! My son (BHS Sophomore) did watch a bit of the debate after he got home from football. This will be the last presidential election he won't be able to vote in. (We both agreed that we hope he has better choices in 2028.) Unfortunately it is more than just your generation getting political news from memes and tik-tok, many of my Gen X peers are guilty of the same.
Even Taylor Swift, in her endorsement, urged us to “do your research.”
Is political research from both the Right and Left acceptable in the high school classroom? (at BHS?)
Are the views of the Left and the Right equally embraced and promoted?
Do all students feel comfortable speaking up or commenting in the BHS classroom regarding government and politics?
Since 2016, BHS has experienced a pattern by the adults on the campus of engaging in the suppression of conservative political speech and ideas in the classroom or on campus.
For example, On November 3, 2021 The Burlingame Bee student newspaper used its front page to chastise a minor student because he was a political conservative.
"Administration suspends conservative activist club Turning Point USA"
There was no reason for the article to exist, much less be placed on the front page of the Burlingame Bee.
The objective of the article placement was clear. The article blames the teen for violations of school policy that are the responsibility of the adult teachers and administrators.
The article shames the conservatives students for being... well... conservatives.
Are the lessons of shaming the "others" in the public school classroom lost on these adults?
The tax-dollars paid by the local parents were used to "blame and shame" those same taxpayers children because the student's holds a different political ideology than the group.
An ideology that was not accepted or allowed on the campus.
San Mateo County is a Deep Blue gerrymandered district where it is easy to pick on conservative ideology due to the numerical imbalance of political ideology.
Does this fact making shaming conservative students proper or acceptable?
In addition to the doxing of the teen by the student newspaper, conservative male students reported ongoing harassment by teachers because of their political orientation and advocacy on campus and in the classroom.
These actions by teachers was reported directly to SMUHSD Superintendent Skelly, which included reports of more than one student being harassed.
The targeting of these conservative students rose to a level these same BHS teachers threatened to take individual action by "sending adverse letters on BHS letterhead to the student's colleges of choice so that any grants of admission would be rescinded." (This is documented)
This threat by BHS Teachers was advanced to include verbal warnings by teachers that they would "dock his grades" in the AP Government and AP English courses if he continued his conservative rhetoric.
It is no wonder that students in this type of environment would turn to the TikTok algorithm for political facts and advice rather than an academic leader.
One local school board member who "wants access" inside of these same government classrooms to promote a "non-partisan" voter participation message includes a powerpoint slide stating,
"If you don't vote, THEY will."
Who is THEY?
Why would a "professional" advocating voter participation in a so called "non-partisan" presentation advance such an argument?
The idea of Democracy and voting is NOT about US and THEM. Its about political engagement, discourse, and debate of ideas.
The Burlingame Bee reporters are students who publish at the direction of their adult advisor.
On a more positive note, if it were not for a BHS student reporter in 2019 documenting HATE on the BHS campus,(while the district office slept) the San Mateo County Grand Jury would not have investigated the campus or its inability to response hate crimes and swastikas on the school site.
SM County Grand Jury HATE@School-Opportunities Lost
Ethan Gardner, “Anti-Semitism alive and well at Burlingame,” Burlingame B, May 23, 2019. ttps://theburlingameb.org/2115/news/anti-semitic-incident/.
Maybe its time for the SM Grand Jury to have another look at the high school campus and investigate at a much deeper level.
Very long and interesting reply to my simple praise of this young woman's column. I did not have a student at BHS in 2021 so I cannot speak to the events you mention, but I certainly believe they occurred. I haven't heard anything this egregious but no, the instruction is not balanced between conservative and liberal ideas and yes, conservative students are often wary of speaking up. However the current principal has shut down the liberal activism of some of the more extreme teachers. Would love to have more discussion on this issue with you off line as it is an important one.
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO
personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who
make comments. Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. Don't threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Anyone violating these rules will be issued a
warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be
revoked.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
(7) comments
One of my favorite joke from Parker, too bad I can't show the caption
A "shouldn't voters have to pass an intelligence test?
B "you don't have to be intelligent to vote."
A "What if there are more stupid people than intelligent people?"
B "Then the democrats win"
Thanks for the thoughtful column! My hope for the future is that something like Tik Tok sparks people's interest in a topic and they then dig deeper to learn more. I know that for me, when I see something on social media it is usually just the beginning of my research. I look forward to reading more from you in the coming months!!
Thanks for your column, Ms. Chiang. I can understand the disconnect from civic engagement because students don’t really have a say in what policies, good or bad, they’ll be forced to endure. For adults, they get the government they vote or not vote for. I’d recommend that when you are able to vote – vote. Although, just like in school it’s up to you to do the homework to achieve the results you’d like to see. As you’ve described, there are plenty of folks who will use whatever means necessary (including lies) to obtain your vote – whether it’s in your interest or not. Don’t be lazy about doing research. Learn what a potential candidate has done in the past. Do they only talk the talk or do they walk the walk? Anyone can talk but talking the talk won’t make your life better. For insight, I’d recommend talking to your parents or other folks about what’s going on now and who they’re voting for, whether national, state, or local – as a practice run to prepare you for your new voting future. Good luck!
Hi, Jeannine
A lot of wisdom in your column today. Thanks.
Great column Jeannine! My son (BHS Sophomore) did watch a bit of the debate after he got home from football. This will be the last presidential election he won't be able to vote in. (We both agreed that we hope he has better choices in 2028.) Unfortunately it is more than just your generation getting political news from memes and tik-tok, many of my Gen X peers are guilty of the same.
Even Taylor Swift, in her endorsement, urged us to “do your research.”
Is political research from both the Right and Left acceptable in the high school classroom? (at BHS?)
Are the views of the Left and the Right equally embraced and promoted?
Do all students feel comfortable speaking up or commenting in the BHS classroom regarding government and politics?
Since 2016, BHS has experienced a pattern by the adults on the campus of engaging in the suppression of conservative political speech and ideas in the classroom or on campus.
For example, On November 3, 2021 The Burlingame Bee student newspaper used its front page to chastise a minor student because he was a political conservative.
"Administration suspends conservative activist club Turning Point USA"
https://theburlingameb.org/4294/news/administration-suspends-conservative-activist-club-turning-point-usa/
There was no reason for the article to exist, much less be placed on the front page of the Burlingame Bee.
The objective of the article placement was clear. The article blames the teen for violations of school policy that are the responsibility of the adult teachers and administrators.
The article shames the conservatives students for being... well... conservatives.
Are the lessons of shaming the "others" in the public school classroom lost on these adults?
The tax-dollars paid by the local parents were used to "blame and shame" those same taxpayers children because the student's holds a different political ideology than the group.
An ideology that was not accepted or allowed on the campus.
San Mateo County is a Deep Blue gerrymandered district where it is easy to pick on conservative ideology due to the numerical imbalance of political ideology.
Does this fact making shaming conservative students proper or acceptable?
In addition to the doxing of the teen by the student newspaper, conservative male students reported ongoing harassment by teachers because of their political orientation and advocacy on campus and in the classroom.
These actions by teachers was reported directly to SMUHSD Superintendent Skelly, which included reports of more than one student being harassed.
The targeting of these conservative students rose to a level these same BHS teachers threatened to take individual action by "sending adverse letters on BHS letterhead to the student's colleges of choice so that any grants of admission would be rescinded." (This is documented)
This threat by BHS Teachers was advanced to include verbal warnings by teachers that they would "dock his grades" in the AP Government and AP English courses if he continued his conservative rhetoric.
It is no wonder that students in this type of environment would turn to the TikTok algorithm for political facts and advice rather than an academic leader.
One local school board member who "wants access" inside of these same government classrooms to promote a "non-partisan" voter participation message includes a powerpoint slide stating,
"If you don't vote, THEY will."
Who is THEY?
Why would a "professional" advocating voter participation in a so called "non-partisan" presentation advance such an argument?
The idea of Democracy and voting is NOT about US and THEM. Its about political engagement, discourse, and debate of ideas.
The Burlingame Bee reporters are students who publish at the direction of their adult advisor.
On a more positive note, if it were not for a BHS student reporter in 2019 documenting HATE on the BHS campus,(while the district office slept) the San Mateo County Grand Jury would not have investigated the campus or its inability to response hate crimes and swastikas on the school site.
SM County Grand Jury HATE@School-Opportunities Lost
Ethan Gardner, “Anti-Semitism alive and well at Burlingame,” Burlingame B, May 23, 2019. ttps://theburlingameb.org/2115/news/anti-semitic-incident/.
Maybe its time for the SM Grand Jury to have another look at the high school campus and investigate at a much deeper level.
Very long and interesting reply to my simple praise of this young woman's column. I did not have a student at BHS in 2021 so I cannot speak to the events you mention, but I certainly believe they occurred. I haven't heard anything this egregious but no, the instruction is not balanced between conservative and liberal ideas and yes, conservative students are often wary of speaking up. However the current principal has shut down the liberal activism of some of the more extreme teachers. Would love to have more discussion on this issue with you off line as it is an important one.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.