There’s a buzzing discussion rolling through the political landscape lately, and it’s about reducing the voting age to 16. Yes, you heard that right! Our young friends, fresh from high school and still figuring out if they want a latte or a frappuccino, might soon have the power to cast a vote that could decide the future of our nation. Talk about putting the “teen” in “teen voting!” But let’s take a moment to unpack this delightful mix of enthusiasm and sheer insanity.

Now, on the surface, you can see the logic. Advocates say that young folks today are more in tune with the issues that affect them. Climate change, college debt, and affordable housing are all on their radar. Meanwhile, the older generations are still arguing over whether avocado toast is a food group or a way to keep housing prices high. It’s an interesting time to be alive with Gen Z raising their voices and demanding change! But, there’s a catch. Have you seen the latest TikTok dance craze? If these kids can’t even remember the lyrics to their own generation’s songs, can we trust them with the entire future of democracy?

When it comes down to it, the real concern is whether or not a bunch of 16-year-olds can make informed decisions about policies that are way more complicated than choosing between Coke or Pepsi. Let’s be honest. If you ask a teen about the stock market, most would probably be more prepared to explain the latest Fortnite update than give you the lowdown on interest rates. And that’s the crux of the issue! Do we really want to democratize the process to the point where “which celebrity should I vote for” becomes the debate on voting day?

But let’s not forget the psychological aspect of this whole idea. If you’ve ever tried to reason with a teenager about anything—homework, chores, respect—you know they can be a bit, well, stubborn. With all this talk about climate anxiety and job prospects weighing on their minds, can we really expect them to go to the polls and cast a vote based on complex policy issues? Or will they be swayed more by whichever TikTok star says, “Vote blue for the coolest gadgets”? It’s a wild thought!

Then there’s the actual act of voting itself. Voting at 16? Welcome to a world where most teens can’t even decide what they want for lunch, let alone think about which candidate would best run the nation. And is it just me, or does it sound like we’re trying to create an entirely new class of voters—one who might miss their appointment at the polls because they got sidetracked by a new Snapchat filter? “Oh, sorry guys, I forgot to vote—I was busy experimenting with my new dog filter!”

In the end, while it’s great that we want to include younger generations in our democratic process, we need to think twice before handing them the keys to the voting booth. Perhaps instead of rushing to lower the voting age, it might make more sense to encourage civic education in high schools. We want to empower the youth with knowledge first—then let them step into the world of voting when they’re ready. After all, we all remember those awkward teenage years when everything felt like a big deal—except for actual, life-altering decisions about the future of our country. Maybe it’s best to keep the votes with those who have had a little more time to figure out what they believe in… like their stance on pineapple on pizza!