Teenagers and AC

The teenage world is, and has always been, a culture of its own. This is something that any good historian, sociologist, or neurologist should be able to tell you without a second thought. Teenagers are more influenced by their peers, more quick to rebel, and more charged with hormones than those of other ages. We are more likely to act on impulse than on conscious thought. We are driven to be individuals and yet this drives usually results in us losing ourselves in the crowd. We are required to take on many of the responsibilities of an adult and yet we gain only a few of an adult's privileges. Socially, legally, and neurologically, we are set apart from the rest of society.

With sixteen years and an estimated three months under my belt, I am--to my knowledge--the youngest member of Associated Content. Generally speaking, I have been shown just as much respect as any other CP, with only a few exceptions. I have engaged in arguments, shared my ideas, expressed my emotions, and watched my self grow both as a writer and a Christian.

I am now left to wonder how other teenagers might experience this site. I know of several other teenage writers who would fit in perfectly well on this site. I also know of other teenagers whose ideas are just as intelligent and valid as those that are so often debated through comments even if they are not the best of writers. With so many teenagers already sharing their thoughts and ideas through sites such myspace, it is inevitable that some of these youthful writers will find their way to AC--I am living proof. The question then is just how these teens will be effected by what they find here.

To begin, I believe that these teens will gain a greater understanding of the intellectual world. As they are exposed to more ideas and ways of thinking, they will be able to judge their own beliefs better. As they write their own content, they will begin to find out just what it is that they believe, since that is something we often give little thought to. As they watch intellectual duels fought on controversial articles, they will better understand the complexities of logic, reason, and, of course, debates. After all, it is easier to learn from the great thinkers of history not by memorizing their work, but by seeing it applied in the present.

Second, they will be more knowledgeable and aware of the world. This aspect comes primarily from arguments, because those most serious about the debates will often bring up facts to support their arguments. Of course, if their taste in content includes history, politics, or world events they will probably learn far more from the actual content than the argument that arises from it. Also, the simple fact that they are interacting with people of many different cultural backgrounds ought to broaden their horizon.

Finally, these teens will be better prepared for the world. It should be obvious that what I have already written is part of the reason for this but there is another one. Depending on how much AC catches on with teenagers, it is not irrational to assume that colleges might offer scholarships based on the site. Even if there aren't enough teenage CPs for this to happen, it is still quite likely that colleges would look more generously on anyone that has published online essays. There is also the simple fact that once AC has grown enough for there to be a noteworthy amount of teens the odds will be much higher of a teenager meeting a potential employer on the site.

This probably sounds like soom sort of advertisement, seeing as how I have had nothing but praises for AC. This is not because I think this is the answer to all our problems, but because I do not believe any teenagers that wold cause a great deal of trouble would be drawn to this site. As I have already said, there are already sites such as myspace for that. The nature of this site makes it a poor choice for such people. Furthermore, I do not believe that any of the things listed are good. If success were the equivalent of good, then these effects would be good but as it is, good is based upon the soul, not the mind.