Issue 05 Theme Statement: The assassination of Charlie Kirk, the deaths of democratic lawmakers in Minnesota, and much more: Contemporary political polarization threatens the foundations of American democracy. Our generation inherits a fractured civic landscape, making it essential to move beyond passive observation and recognize the critical importance of informed civic duty.
Issue 05 Thesis Statement: Through interdisciplinary research, social commentary, and youth perspectives, we aim to analyze how polarization influences public discourse, voter behavior, and civic identity. Ultimately, this issue seeks to encourage critical reflection on how our generation can cultivate civic literacy, empathy, and engagement as tools to bridge ideological divides and strengthen democratic participation.
Teens, Social Media, and Polarization: Navigating the Digital Debate
Writer: Kyle Lee
Predicting Polarization: How Data Models Track Political Division
Writer: Eric Kim
Protecting Speech While Ensuring Safety: Legal Frameworks and Public Responsibility
Writer: Rohan Tammabatula
Technology and Security: Engineering Safer Public Spaces
Writer: Milton Sun