Are We Teaching Teens That Bullies Win and Truth Doesn’t Matter?
In today’s divided world, our youth are watching, and what they’re learning should scare us all.
I try to stay politically neutral. To pick my words carefully.
To not fall into outrage just because the world seems stuck in it.
But lately, I can’t ignore the feeling anymore.
Something is off.
Not just in the news, or in politics, or in what’s happening across the world stage.
Something deeper. Quieter. Slipping through the cracks of daily life.
Our teens are watching.
And what they’re learning, just by existing in this climate is terrifying.
What Are We Actually Teaching Them?
We say: “Kindness matters.”
But they watch bullies rise to power.
We say: “Tell the truth.”
But they see leaders dodge accountability while misinformation spreads unchecked.
We say: “Use your voice.”
But they hear people get shamed, cancelled, or threatened for speaking up.
They’re not just watching.
They’re learning.
And here’s what many teens are quietly internalizing:
Bullies prosper.
Truth is negotiable.
Silence is safer than honesty.
Respect only applies to those who already agree with you.
Rules only matter if you’re powerless.
We didn’t mean to teach them this.
But we are.
The Silent Curriculum of Our Times
Teens learn through culture. Through how we respond to events Not just how we explain them.
When we scroll past suffering with glazed-over eyes, they learn detachment.
When adults explode over politics online, they learn polarization.
When we dodge hard conversations in the name of “not getting involved,” they learn to disengage.
And now, more than ever, they’re asking themselves:
“What do I actually believe in?”
“Who can I trust?”
“Why try, when it all feels like a mess anyway?”
What Happens When Leadership Becomes Untrustworthy?
When adults become jaded, kids become cynical.
When adults give up, kids feel abandoned.
When adults say “I don’t know who to believe anymore,” kids think: Then what chance do I have?
This is where the ripple effect starts.
Where hopelessness replaces curiosity.
Where apathy replaces action.
Where fear replaces voice.
But Here’s the Truth: It’s Not Too Late
Teens don’t need perfect role models.
They don’t need us to have all the answers.
What they need is honest, grounded, emotionally intelligent adults
who are willing to say:
“Yes, the world feels chaotic. Let’s talk about it.”
“No, I don’t agree with everything happening either.”
“Here’s how I make sense of things, and you’re allowed to come to your own conclusions too.”
That’s where trust begins.
That’s where resilience is built.
That’s where mentorship becomes life-changing.
Mentorship: The Antidote to a Disoriented Generation
At The Mentor Well, we believe teens don’t need another lecture.
They need someone in their corner.
Someone outside the system. Someone who listens first, and guides gently.
Someone who models how to stay human in a world that feels like it’s losing its way.
Mentors create space to say:
“You’re not alone in this.”
“Your values matter, even when the world feels upside down.”
“Let’s figure out what kind of leader you want to become.”
That’s what changes lives.
That’s what interrupts the noise.
This Is the Moment to Speak Up
We don’t need to be louder than the chaos.
We just need to be clearer about what we stand for.
And right now, I stand for:
Teaching teens that compassion is strength
That truth matters, even when it's inconvenient
That respecting others doesn't require agreement
That it’s possible to feel scared, and still choose courage
Let’s Rewrite the Message They’re Receiving
If we don’t speak into the silence, the world will do it for us.
And what the world is saying right now?
It’s not good enough.
Let’s show our kids something different.
Let’s raise a generation that leads with empathy.
That thinks critically.
That knows their voice has power, especially when it’s used with care.
💬 Ready to take action?
At The Mentor Well, we’re building a community of adults who refuse to let chaos shape our youth.
We’re mentoring teens with courage, clarity, and compassion.
👉 Become a Mentor
👉 Find a Mentor for Your Teen
👉 Learn More About The Mentor Well
Because bullies don’t get the last word.
We do.
