Encouraging Youth Engagement in Politics is Crucial
In the wake of the devastating Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018, which tragically claimed the lives of 17 individuals and set a record for the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history [1], a series of school shootings have continued to occur across the nation.
Since 1999, there have been 416 school shootings in the U.S., with 392 of these incidents taking place in public schools [2]. Some of the most notable incidents since 2018 include the Antioch High School shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2025, which resulted in two fatalities and two injuries [3], and the Parkland shooting itself, which sparked widespread calls for gun law reform.
The deadliest school shooting in U.S. history remains the Virginia Tech massacre, while the Sandy Hook and Parkland shootings are among the most tragic in terms of fatalities [4].
In the aftermath of these tragedies, efforts have been made to prevent further incidents. One such effort involves legislative and policy changes. For instance, following the Parkland shooting, Florida enacted legislation that raised the minimum age to purchase firearms to 21 and imposed a three-day waiting period, among other measures. However, these changes fell short of the desired assault weapons ban [4].
The debate over gun control continues, with some advocating for stricter laws and others opposing them as unconstitutional [2]. In response to the persistent calls for action, young activists have emerged as powerful forces for change. The Parkland shooting led to the formation of the March for Our Lives movement by surviving students, who have been active in advocating for gun law reforms and supporting candidates who agree with their stance [4].
Another organization, Make Our Schools Safe, was founded by Lori Alhadeff, a mother who lost her daughter in the Parkland shooting. The organization continues to advocate for school safety measures and honours the legacy of those killed in the tragedy [5].
Community and advocacy efforts have also focused on school safety measures. Many schools have implemented enhanced security measures, including the presence of security guards and metal detectors [2]. However, there has been a controversial debate about whether teachers should be allowed to carry firearms in schools, with some arguing it could enhance safety while others oppose it [2].
The students who organized March For Our Lives demonstrated courage by taking action after experiencing a traumatic event. They have shown that young people have the power to effect change, despite feeling helpless in certain situations. Undocumented children are also in need of advocates and protection, as the Unaccompanied Children Program, which provided undocumented children with legal representation in court, has been dismantled, leaving these children without legal representation [6].
It is the civic duty of young people to hold their government accountable and remind them to fear the consequences of their actions. As history has shown, young people have been instrumental in driving change throughout history, from labor rights advocacy in the 1830s to the civil rights movement in the 1960s [7]. In the face of adversity, young people continue to stand up for what they believe in and fight for a safer, more just future.
[1] Everytown Research & Policy, "Frequently Asked Questions: School Shootings in America," 2021. [2] National Public Radio, "The Debate Over Arming Teachers," 2018. [3] The Tennessean, "Antioch High School Shooting: What We Know," 2025. [4] The Washington Post, "Parkland Shooting: What We Know So Far," 2018. [5] Make Our Schools Safe, "Our Story," n.d. [6] The New York Times, "Trump Administration Deported a 2-Year-Old U.S. Citizen," 2018. [7] History.com, "Timeline of the Civil Rights Movement," n.d.
- The opinion on whether teachers should carry firearms in schools remains divisive within the community.
- The Florida faculty, in response to the Parkland shooting, enacted legislation to raise the minimum age to purchase firearms and impose a three-day waiting period.
- Events like school shootings, car accidents, and crime-and-justice incidents highlight the importance of education-and-self-development and personal-growth programs, preparing students for various career-development paths.
- Sports and sports-betting can serve as an outlet for students seeking skills-training and job-search opportunities.
- In the face of tragedies like the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, students have emerged as powerful forces, advocating for policy-and-legislation changes and driving action on war-and-conflicts, such as gun control.
- Community efforts have focused on school safety measures, including implementing metal detectors, security guards, and debating the issue of armed school faculty.
- Despite feeling helpless in certain situations, young people have shown the ability to effect change, as demonstrated by the student-led March For Our Lives movement and earlier movements like the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
- Advocacy organizations like Make Our Schools Safe have emerged to support school safety measures and honor those killed in tragedies like the Parkland shooting.
- The discourse on gun control involves contrasting opinions, with some advocating for stricter laws and others deeming these measures unconstitutional.
- Beyond gun control, issues like the dismantling of the Unaccompanied Children Program illustrate the need for continued civic engagement, as young people hold their government accountable for policies affecting their education, careers, and personal well-being.
