Nothing About Us Without Us: Youth Voices Matter

Ask a young person in America about the issues that are top of mind and it's clear they are paying close attention: Inflation. Homelessness. AI. Gun violence. The weakening of public education. Global conflict. Discrimination. Climate change. 

Young people are fully aware of the challenges ahead. And they're ready to get involved and make a difference.  

Drawing on the views of 3,204 young people between the ages of 14 and 22, the 2026 UNICEF USA/Harris Poll nationwide online survey found that 62 percent of those eligible to vote are planning to cast a ballot in state elections — a 15-point jump from 2024. Lack of representation remains a top concern; 78 percent of respondents believe people in power aren't interested in their point of view and 70 percent said they do not feel involved in the political process in the U.S.  

But they're not letting that stop them: 82 percent believe that people in their age group can make a difference. 

Young people have strong opinions about what needs to change and they want to be part of the solution

Solutions to the problems society faces must include the power and perspectives of young people, says Marium, 18, a UNICEF National Youth Council member from Texas who attends Harvard University. 

"Being listened to is so important because there's an interactive element to it," Marium says. "It's not just about nodding your head and smiling and saying that you're being heard. It's about showing that through interactive elements. Are we actually being brought into these spaces? Are our views actually being put into measures that can help us? And other situations in which, not just policymakers, but stakeholders in journalism, health care, education, are truly putting our voices into action."

"When I think about the state of the world right now, the first word that comes to mind is interrupted," says Kostiantyn, 17, an Iowa high school student and UNICEF National Youth Council member. "Coming originally from Ukraine, I know how quickly wars and conflicts can threaten a child's rights or education. Schools have been destroyed, learning disrupted and many children displaced, making access to education uncertain for thousands ... Around the world, wars and conflicts prevent many children from accessing education they have a fundamental right to. And I hope that one day, every child, regardless of where they live, will have equal access to that right."

Learn more about UNICEF Clubs and youth leaders

Young people are taking a stand for what they believe in

"The first word that comes to my mind is uncertainty," says Aditya, a 16-year-old high school student and UNICEF National Youth Council member in New York. "Because right now, we are facing so many challenges, from climate change to AI and data centers, to gun violence, to income inequality, and even the growing hateful speech and division that I'm seeing in our society."

"On the other side of that uncertainty, I think we have hope," Aditya says. "Because now more than ever, young people are starting to stand up for what they believe in and make sure that their voices are heard. And that fills me with hope. Because while I am uncertain about the state of our world today, with all the challenges we face, what I am certain about is that if our generation continues to take action, we have the power to work towards a better world."

Read the full results of the 2026 UNICEF USA/Harris Poll youth survey