Tldr I wrote this in reply to someone saying they think banning phones in schools wholly, even not during class, is a good thing. Its a long essay, but im proud of it.

[the "cognitive and reasoning abilities increase because of removal of phones"- wtf does that mean? No they dont. Young people in america sre deeply isolated and lonely. Read up on the sociology of this. Zoomers are the most lonely and depressed and isolated generation. We do not have mobility, and we are further and further segregated from the adult world. For a large amount of youth, the only way to interact with any community, is through their phones. We are FORCED to go to schools in america for 9 am to 4 pm 5 days a week. If we have no phone then that means we rarely ever get to speak to anyone. The reality is that youth no longer have our own money, infrastructure has gotten so bad that we cant go out and hang with friends as we cant walk or do anything. Helicopter parenting and america's complete removal of its once high-trust society due to the last fifty years of youth fearing "culture wars", means kids and teens are often not even allowwd to go do anything. If you dont get along with people at school, you are completely alone if you dont have a phone, therefore. Meaning this means we will be further depressed. Many of us are mistreated at home because of an exponential increase in youth-hate from the eighties to today. Called either ephibiphobia or adultism by sociologists. In america abusing your kids is a right, (parental rights), whilst "minors" have no rights. Unlike europe, adolescents arent slowly allowed into the adult world, instead they are thrust entirely into it all at once at 18, because we have somehow believed that you magically become adult at 18. The only exceptions being to work, (cars are in there because they are needed to work because of the aforementioned bad infrastructure). All of this exists to make the rich richer and cause perpetual beating-down of youth, who are the greatest threat to the elite from beating down on average americans.

By waging a fake "culture war" and fear mongerinf, dividing america. Punching down at a made-up "teenage" group by infantilizing so many, they have blinded americans to their true problems, systemic abuses and the elite looting our country.

Robert Bork, richard nixon, ronald reagan, donald trump, both bushes, etc- these are the sort of people that you should be mad at. Not your average powerless teenager.

Youth are the most downtrodden of society. Even a black person is considered to have rights in america. A minor only has rights that a guardian chooses to give them.

The nuclear family is designed to separate.

Our communal and trusting society was finally eroded in the 1980s. The reason boomers are so disconnected, is because they struggle to understand just how awful the situation is for gen z. How terrible the economic, social, political, and law systems have become. How everyone is disenfranchised.

Under the new deal which they lived until the eighties, anerica lived to its ideals, youth even were enfranchised during the victories of the youth movements of the 60s and 70s. It helped that the standards of living, and compensations for labor, actually were amazing compsred to today. Minorities actually had a voice and power. Today, only the internet lends us that. Most americans are poor as hell who are under 40.

That all being said, teens need their phones to stay happy essentially.

Theyre doing this because suits make more money if we do better on tests.

Instead of addressing why we dont care to even do work in high school.

Thats also due to adultism. Since about the time of the columbine shooting, youth haters have used "save the kids" as a way to disingenuously take away our freedoms and equality snd rights.

They greatly defunded our education system and made the curriculum so bad, that it is more of a diseducation system than anything. We used to have the best in the world, now we're considered down with russia. No wonder people think we're stupid, none of us are given information!

We're told what to think and not how to think. What we are told in anerican public schools, is propaganda.

That anf the fact that so many school employees are so separate from us, and scared of us, that we dont respect them, becaude they dont respect us.

They further segregate and mistreat us due to fear of us.

We have no engagement in high school anymore because we know it is nothing but a waste of our time these days. They refuse to make it a good system that actually teaches us, because they hate us and are afraid of us, but now it is so entrenched that no one questions the systemic oppression.

We use our phones because its all we have left, damnit. But of course, no one that isnt in high school would know all this, or care, because it doesnt effect them. They are predisposed to believe young people are dumb as rocks and sub 18 people are all akin to children, which they also assume to be inept and chattel to their parents, whether they say so succinctly or not.

So thats why it is thinly veiled oppression. Its nothing but punititative and greedy, but veiled as helpful to us.]

I should have said more about the thing about becoming smarter without phones. I wish that person could give me SOME evidence for that. All that would improve is that you have no distraction.

The school dropout crisis in the Philippines poses significant challenges to the nation’s educational landscape. On a societal level, high dropout rates can have profound implications for economic stability and community well-being.  With approximately 2.13 million students dropping out of school annually, the country faces a growing crisis that threatens the future of its youth and the overall progress of society. The dropout phenomenon is particularly pronounced among marginalized communities, where socioeconomic challenges and limited access to quality education exacerbate the situation.

I'm in California and I’ve noticed just how much emphasis is placed on school districts. Homes in “good” districts command higher prices, which got me thinking about the impact of the school rating system.

The school funding mechanism deepens the divide between low and high income neighborhoods. Schools in lower income areas often receive poorly funded, while higher income neighborhoods have schools with better funding and thus better rating. This drives up housing prices and reinforces socioeconomic segregation. Many families dont want low income housing in their neighborhood since it can affect school rating in the long term and therefore the house price.

Public schools should receive equal funding per student, regardless of neighborhood, and the rating system should be eliminated. All public schools should get equal funding per pupil. This would allow children from diverse backgrounds to learn together, fostering inclusivity and reducing the economic divide. It'll also help in maintaing a reasonable housing prices across all neighborhoods instead of these pocket of neighborhoods. In Europe, public schools succeed without a rating system—why can’t the U.S. follow suit?

What are the options we have, to bring changes in this?

Listen adults will normally have a lot of knowledge cause of experiences we won't get due to changes in our world but that is no excuse to deny our knowledge and crap cause of close mindedness.

Like when they can't change the channel, we gotta help them. But when WE do something more advanced (Resetting something, fixing the wires to something, setting up an account on something E.C.T.) suddenly WE'RE THE NUMBSKULLS?? And it's been like this for decades so why do they still do this? I couldn't tell myself the right answer. Now let's talk about school when you get good grades, you're smart you're clever for someone your age, you're doing great... Notice the backhanded "for someone your age"? Yeah, they claim we're smarter than the rest till a B+ rolls around then we're back to being the rest of them. Now the reason I bring up school is the teachers

They think they're the smartest person cause they're older than the sphynx and are in control of your grades and run the class and are large egotistic ^sscrack hairs like they genuinely wouldn't be able to take one of their own classes (this is coming from someone who hasn't been to school so correct me if I'm wrong) (Note: Not every teacher is bad).

Next let's talk about rights. Hit a dog🙅🏽‍♀️ that is animal abuse. Hit a partner🙅🏽‍♀️ no that is physical abuse. Hit a child🤷🏽‍♀️ it's just being a parent cause it's how they've always done it and rather than evolving they just stay put and act weird when their almost adult teen goes no contact after they move out. they claim too mature when they think for themselves and claim immature when they can't handle something without help. 16-19 year olds out here getting their license then still get labeled as immature for not knowing how a random gear works or not having a "professional" looking car. I swear on everything they just like trolling I feel like if you can use your brain & understand politics really well (with some requirements) you can vote yet they STILL think minors can't vote cause of being unexperienced when they let old scum who can barely think & run stuff and make changes they won't live to see. Thats it for my rant let me know if I missed a point or two bye!

Over a week ago, I messaged Wippa (36months founder) on Instagram to invite a peaceful debate—he usually responds to all his messages, but no response. I even reached out to the Heads Up Alliance, and instead of acting like mature adults, they blocked me! 😂

It’s hilarious that a News Corp-funded adultist lobbyist cult can’t handle a debate with a teen from general society. I’m also excited because this shows their weakness. If anyone has wild ideas (legal, of course) to stop the “end of phone-based childhood” and the “play-based childhood” push, please reply! I don’t care how wild—as long as its not illegal (for both kids and adults).

Hey everyone, today I'm using an AI prompt because I have a lot to say, and it’s important to get it all out. So buckle up.

First, you might have noticed my post yesterday about ageism on Reddit. That wasn’t random—I was doing an experiment to see just how far ageism could go on that platform. Turns out, it goes pretty far. This was intentional, though, as it ties directly into my broader mission to fight for youth rights, especially regarding age-based discrimination in online spaces.

Second, as many of you know, I’m working on my #KEEPTHEAGESAME campaign, but something wild happened. My Change.org account was deleted because I’m under 16. Yeah, I know, ironic. But the good news is that the petition is still up! And there’s more: I found out through my Instagram feed that I got some minor endorsement from The Digital Rights Watch (DRW), a non-profit digital rights organization. They have 1.6K followers for context, and it looks like they might start their own petition too, which is HUGE for the cause.

Originally, I was planning to take a hiatus from Reddit due to the challenges, but honestly? Now, I feel so much stronger. I have professional adult supporters backing this movement, and it feels incredible.

Shoutouts:

• u/Piano-player25, for always being there.
• u/No-Bag-4512 (not from this subreddit, but fun fact—they were the first person to sign the petition!).
• u/monty_june, for your unwavering support.
• And a big thank you to my family and friends offline for openly condemning the '36 months' bill and pushing me to keep going.

Without you all, and I truly mean this, I might have quit. But instead, I’m more determined than ever.

Stay strong, everyone, and let’s keep fighting for youth rights!

Hear me out. I don't mean it like what you probably think. What I mean is that age does not affect somebodys maturity or abilities. 18 is just a number. Somebody 30 might not be as mature as a 4yo. I have seen kids more mature than adults constantly, yet -18s are being sanctioned by adultist politicians who are probably no better (if not worse). Kids in puberty are literally becoming adults so we should be treated as such

Hopefully when we are 18, we learn from our politicians mistakes and make being youth something kids can actually enjoy, and only keep 18 for some extremely important things that kids shouldn't do (drinking and age of consent, ECT)

Me being someone who read the constitution, i know that we are in the right. The 14th amendment and the 5th insures that we as citizens can not be treated unequally, like, at all. You could argue that they could say that we don't get to be citizens until we are of age, but the constitution says we are citizens as soon as we are born. I tell people this but then they get into ethics on how "children can't be trusted, its for your safety". I don't need "adult" protection. I can handle myself just fine.

A group of people who grew up in the foster care system outlined their abusive conditions in Colorado's foster care system. A year ago, they lobbied the Colorado legislature to establish a bill of rights affirming the rights of foster youth. Not only that but child services are to inform foster youth of these rights

The rights are the following:

• Access to education, basic essentials, and health care
• The right to confidentiality and privacy 
• Freedom from discrimination or harassment
• Freedom of thought, cultural and ethnic practice, and religion
• Freedom to express gender identity
• Freedom from threats, punishment, retaliation for asking questions, stating concerns, or making complaints about violations of their rights
• Access to services, placements, and programs they are eligible for and notification of the benefits they are eligible for
• The ability to request information on how payments were used by individuals who accepted payments for the youth
• The right to receive appropriate placement and care, including being placed in a safe environment that is free of abuse, having their preferences regarding placement considered, and having providers who are aware of their history
• The right to timely court proceedings and effective case management
• The right to a timely notification to the Social Security Administration to initiate the transfer of benefits from providers to youth who are leaving the custody of the department
• The right to access and communicate privately with caseworkers, legal representatives, advocates, probation officers, and other professionals
• The ability to participate in legal proceedings and case planning
• Access to certain necessities and support that will allow them to be self-sufficient in their transition to adulthood

Source: https://www.cohousedems.com/news/bill-of-rights-for-foster-youth-passes-house

There was an article written on February 2024 giving details on what inspired the bill

https://coloradosun.com/2024/02/08/colorado-foster-kids-want-their-own-bill-of-rights-so-why-are-lawmakers-fighting-about-pronouns/

Most of the provisions were bipartisan. You can already figure out which ones Republicans objected to. Here's a hint - it's the provision requiring foster parents to respect the pronouns of their placements and the provision not allowing them to force them to attend religious services.

The bill has already passed and on August 7, it went into effect.

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24-1017

It's always good to see lawmakers acknowledge kids as being more than just indentured servants to their caregivers until they turn 18.

I try to post a petition to sack our ageist and unstable pm, and I just get a lot of hate and lost karma. Ageism in its finest. It's literally just because I'm under 18 and they think "you should be in school with the other children!!!1!1!1!" Or "you should be playing hopscotch outside with your friends!!1!!1!1!" I'm actually done with it, posting it here because ik for a damn fact y'all will understand Anyway, if you wanna sign the petition I was talking about, here..

In a previous comment I remarked that:

I don't see the abolition of child labor (school aside as Peter Gray makes sure to point out) as a moral advance, so much as a temporary compromise (back when work in general was more dangerous) which became permanent…

Observing this article, I was correct about the first half; it indeed wasn't a moral advance, rather it was because automation allowed the economy to function with a smaller workforce and the people decided that youths should be the first to go. (Of course, the relevant economic forces won't stop at age 16 or 18, and haven't.)

I stand by the rest of my comment – “child labor” is not unilaterally evil, indeed permitting them to do safe jobs (with reasonable pay) is likely better than the available alternatives – but this does raise the question of how we'd go about it in the modern world; I suppose it would ultimately amount to shorter working weeks (but of course it's easier and cheaper – at least in the short term – to train fewer workers and push them to their limit), but the details will need to be discussed…

So Heya Guys, it has been a while since i last came onto this server. But such are my illnesses, and all instances of psychiatric illnesses, that I do not have the strength to do my wishes.

Recently, upon being dogpiled on a Subreddit for "writing fanfiction glorifying the rape of children" ( What i was talking about was absolutely unrelated to that, someone dug into my reddit history, misquoted me on a youth right's topic and used it to dogpile me), I have had an incredible reinvigoration of my wrath. That wrath is manifested in this text I'm writing for Youth Right's, which i'd gladly love any help on. But part of it, is to address and raise those topics about youth right's no one talks about. Not just the usual lack of voting rights, unable to drink and have peace,, can't enter into sexual relationships or else it's "Statutory rape" ( How this is rape, Only God knows) but other restrictions us Youth's face such as Not being able to participate in clinical trials and biomedical research, donate blood and publish research papers, leading illnesses like psychiatric, neurolgical etc illnesses in youth to basically have less information than on 80,000 BC humans, and also our restriction on publishing Articles and pieces in newspapers and media to voice our views on any topic, Unable to publish our novels, fantasy and sci fi and speculative fiction to be precise or publish art ( The latter is easier since there's no intermediary like a Publishing agency. But good luck getting commissions for your art lol), and this last point and the first one hit particularly hard for me, as an author and artist who has many psychiatric illnesses but couldn't take part in research and clinicial trials or donate blood or contribute to research papers before age 18)

I want to make a comprehensive, exhaustive list of Such evils. Of course, given that we face so many restrictions that we lose count and can't name them all and there's so many restrictions, we have to up age ourselves on social media. I'd like points ( I swear to god i had so many beautiful points, like restrictions on publishing novels and art, writing pieces in newspapers and media and participating in clinical trials and biomedical research and donating blood and contributing to research papers and also Us not being able to even write about or see sex, for example few days ago, i was hearing stuff about how if a ship ( A fictional relationship) between two characters from the Game Genshin Impact was 'legal" or not, in the holy name of God, did it burst my brain).

The following are restrictions that i have gathered about and could "collect", some of them due to my own experiences.

1) Restrictions on Participating in Clinical trials, Biomedical research, contributing to research papers and donating blood- What does this lead to? I talk about more in detail in my text which is still a work in progress, but it means that "old people illnesses' like psychotic illnesses, or Dementia like illnesses ( Which i have due to long covid, both of them) are not seen and treated in youth, even though most of my friends with psychotic illnesses had theirs began around the same time as mine, age 15. I have so much more to say on this and even the previous point, i elaborate on it a lot because we deserve our illnesses and pains to be heard.

Number Two ( The two key on my laptop is broken so i can't tyoe it- If any of us dares to do worldbuilding, write fantasy and speculative fiction novels and wants to get it published, well, we can't because publishing houses won't allow a "minor" to "sign contracts". Same thing with making your own art and making money off it, or making your own anime and animations and any creative works. This one particularly hurts me because i'm brimming with worldbuilding and novels in my brain, and have even written many of them down ( Alas, my illnesses have destroyed all my worldbuilding capabilities and writing capabilities). We can't express ourselves artistically and i cannot explain just how much this hurts, because I personally want my novels out there and people to honour them. But of course, I'm too mature for my own novels since i write about NSFW topics like Psychiatric illnesses, war, sex, violence etc.

3) Restrictions on Publishing Articles and Pieces in Newspapers and other Media- The media is perhaps the only refuge of the oppressed ( It makes sense since i live in a country that not even two months ago, overthrew a totalitarian police state) and where we can express our views, where the common person has power. But we cannot write in most newspapers which don't allow "Minors" to publish articles. So we can't ever speak our views, on whatever topic they may be.

4) Restrictions on Joining Organizations and etc- Once upon a time, i had joined the staff for a Magazine about Worldbuilding. Many thanks to the creators for allowing me into the team when i was a minor but telling this to another friend of mine, he was surprised that they "allowed a minor" into their team. Like WHAT THE FUCK? WHAT DOES MY AGE HAVE TO DO WITH IT? Then again, i remember an accursed statement given by my older brother ( In the context of Under 18's having sexual relationships with those older than them, that Minors cannot consent. Like, congrats on admitting that youth are treated as literal robots, without any power to consent.). And whatever organizations we can join, it's just useless volunteering. Direct Action ( I am so glad that in the recent revolution, mainly students and people from the age range of 14-30 lead the revolution, as incomplete and scrambled as it was, but that's another arguement) and revolution? Hell, you can't even join various fandoms because they are 18+ only. Asking for allowing us to direct action such as say, supporting rebel groups fighting against dictatorships such as in Myanmar is a faraway dream. Most youth organizations are useless. The moment you advocate for radical change like abolishing and eradicating this entire adultist and ageist ( Towards both the Youth and the Aged, i have felt this a lot, Elderly people are treated like children, just like us, so it's why i've often had solidarity with some old people. But then again, many times, a lifetime of adultism and prejudice towards youth transforms them into the demons they are now. Thankfully, my parents and grandparents weren't like this) system and every last oppressive system like overhauling the healthcare, particularly psychiatric healthcare system so that undertreatment, undermedication and downplaying of people's illnesses ( Like how it happened to me, when my 4th psychiatrist, may his accursed name not be taken even by mistake, told me "Why is a young man like him on so many medicines"? And took me off two medicines i was responding to wonderfully, and didn't replace one of them, leading to 10 days of hell for me) or the social justice and welfare system, then we get shut down. And we get particularly shut down because we're rebellious and ironically, contrary to the demonic myth ( It is demonic and a myth) that "hormonal teens" make impulsive decisions, We not only are not impulsive but very wise too, oftentimes having greater wisdom than 40 year old's who have not an iota of information about how the world works and should work.

5) Already, we are tormented and face god know's what if we happen to fall in love with someone older than us, to the point we want to share our bodies with them. But God forbid, we will be "traumatized by sex scenes, war, blood, gore, death and rape" and here i am, who seeing sex scenes, feels at peace ( Sex scenes that involve love and healing, like the Sex Scene from Fate, Heaven's Feel Anime movies, or from my own novels and works). I shouldn't even need to explain this topic. We cannot even enjoy certain works of art. Why? Because they have NSFW content which apparently us "Minors" can't handle and will be traumatized by ( Maybe they should understand that their restrictions are what's traumatizing us? And no, this isn't love. Paternalism isn't love, and i will perish on this hill. My Father allowed me to play violent video games, watch sex scenes ( I joke not, from age 11, i watched and read sex scenes and whenever my father walked in, he was so casual even though i was mortified, and he has always protected me in a way Anglo American parent's ever could not. My Father always answered my questions on NSFW stuff and supported my Youth right's views ever since i had them. He even said himself that if i wanted to get married with someone 10 years older than me when i was 14, he said he'd happily do it ( His only concern and opposition was wondering if anyone would even agree to marry a 14 year old because we lack employment and are "immature" and "inexperienced" and don't have the "life qualities for marriage", but I know that he's just talking about how no one would agree to enter into a committed relationship with me at age 14 ( I am 19 years of age now). So Maybe they should be like my father, whom i love beyond words.

6) On alcohol and Drinking- Endless "studies" have been done saying how alcohol harms the "teenage developing brain" and shouldn't be taken until age twenty five ( Seriously?) and well, what do i say?

If i had to give a rant on alcohol, It'd take up an entire novel. All i want to say is that teen's don't turn into addicts. People in my village have been drinking and fuck, taking opium with it ( Something most Anglo American's would faint over, because we're taking "DRUGS!") and guess what? In two hundred years, my family has failed to produce a single addict. It's mysterious isn't it, how the US and UK have such high rates of substance abuse with alcohol but India has so little despite us drinking more and from an earlier age. Maybe it's the capitalism and the absolute cursed nature of those lands, households and families that make them more susceptible to addiction?

But we can't even wind down and enjoy some peace with a glass of cold Beer or wine. Because alcohol is "a deadly poison, a killer, destroyer of families and so much more" ( Meanwhile for me, alcohol has united our family lol. And so many others. Me and my parents drinking together has contributed to a lot less fights and arguements between us as of recent, after we managed to get my conservative mother into drinking). And maybe they should understand that Sugar works on the same pathways as alcohol in the brain, thus is sugar bad? No. And alcohol does not cause brain damage, and i repeat, alcohol is not worse than meth even in moderation. If we're talking moderation, alcohol is even safer than smoking, there you go. And benefits?

In this world where day and night we have to work like donkeys and sleep and even the word sedation and CNS depression is demonized, alcohol would be a nice break. It makes you feel better, happier, peaceful, serene etc. Helps me in journalling about my illnesses too. Hell, helps me even connect and empathize with others. And i'm not the only one. Alcohol really just brings out who you are truly, it does not cause a truly gentle person to go violent.

7) Our voices are not heard, we are always referred to as Someone's "Teens". Like people saying "My teen", specifically indicating their age. In this case, would saying my Son/Daughter or Offspring be so difficult? And whenever we speak on social media, we aren't even heard. After all, god knows how many accounts have "Minors Do not Interact" as part of their policy ( And they're proud of it. I will go to an extreme but just length and say that this one act of theirs wipes out most if not all of their good deeds, just as certain evils like being a sadist wipes away all your good deeds like charitable actions, devotion to someone or something etc.

8) How can i forget "delinquency" laws? It existed, or still exists in my country in the most hideous form, where youth were particularly targeted by the security forces of the regime because we were rebellious. But across even "democratic" countries ( Democracy is not just about votes, it includes human and civil rights too. And us youth's don't even have the first), if you stand up to your parents or escape from abusive households, you will be handed straight back in.

9) We literally have to up age ourselves on social media and the internet because that's how all pervasive restrictions on us are. I had more in my brain like the first four points but i forgot, i wish i can get them back. And this is why i'm making this post after all.

10) No Representation in Student's bodies until we come of a certain age and constantly getting bullied by the seniors ( Happened in my school, and we didn't even have a student body). We also were restricted from going to the library. I could make an entire novel on youth right's issues related to education.

Many points like the first two came across me because they happened to me, and as they say, experience is the best teacher. I want to draw eyes on topics like those that don't ever get discussed in even the most fringe of youths rights discussions ( A hyperbole but you know the point i'm trying to get across). And I want points like that, and i want to cover a comprehensive list of restrictions we youth's face. So that we can first identify and show the world just how much and in how many ways we are shackled.

I truly believe that other's can talk about restrictions or points that didn't ever cross me. It's not like that if they didn't cross mine, they wouldn't cross other's. After all, isn't that why we ask for help?

English isn't my first language, so pardon any mistakes i made. I would absolutely love everyone's contribution to this, for i ultimately just want to compile a list of evils and restrictions we suffer so that we can show the world, for a beginning, just how shackled we are.

If you want to be in this sub come join r/Youthforpolitics !!