Getting involved in politics at such a young age can be daunting. You may not be sure where to start or what you can accomplish. Luckily, I got to sit down with Lauren Eckstein, a Political Science Student at Washington University in St. Louis, to learn how she became passionate about political advocacy as a teen.
Finding a Passion for Politics
Eckstein was says she was “fortunate” to grow up in a politically engaged household. “My parents introduced me to politics at a young age, with my first political memory being filling out the bubble on my dad’s ballot for Barack Obama in 2008. I did not pay much attention to politics during the Obama years but during the 2016 election is when I truly started to care. This is both due to my past interest in history, as well as recognizing the importance of this election,” she said.
Turning Interest Into Action
Eckstein’s transition from passive interest to active engagement happened in 2016. “I truly cared about the politics around me. At the time, everything that was happening was so unprecedented.”
Using Social Media as a Tool for Change
For today’s youth, social media can be a powerful tool for activism. Platforms like TikTok allow messages to spread quickly, making them effective for mobilizing people and raising awareness.
“Social media, especially apps that share content with a large group of people, like TikTok, are a great tool to create real action. I, along with a small group of other Arizona high school students, ran a TikTok account in support of at the time candidate, now Senator, Mark Kelly. By creating content that identifies with people of a similar age group, we were able to turn social media into real action,” Eckstein shared.
Staying Engaged Without Burnout
Political work can be overwhelming, making self-care essential. Taking time for yourself is incredibly important! For me it was a bit different during my first campaign as it was during Covid, but now I realize that I need to both work incredibly hard and take time for myself. Communication is key in most issues, and is certainly key here,” she said.
Advice for Young Changemakers
Eckstein encourages young people to never underestimate their ability to make a difference. “Don’t think you’re too young to make a difference! Even though you cannot run for office yet, there are so many ways you can become involved. By creating a club at your school, reaching out to a campaign, or educating others you are truly making a difference,” she shared.
A Success Story: Turning Advocacy Into Impact
Eckstein has helped start key initiatives that brought together young activists and gave them opportunities to engage in meaningful political work. “In 2020 when Covid started, I helped create the Future Leaders program for the Mark Kelly campaign. With many of these leaders, we later created the Arizona High School Democrats and were able to mobilize students across the entire state, creating social media content and working on campaigns.”
Final Thoughts
Eckstein’s story is a testament to the impact young people can have when they take action. Whether through social media, organizing, or direct involvement in campaigns, their voices are powerful. She encourages all young individuals to step up, get involved, and become part of the movement shaping the future.
Sydney Helmuth 
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