We need the young to be more politically aware because they are often the solution to a problem. Many parents often turn to their children (teenagers especially) for issues they have with technology such as a cellphone, but do they ever consult them for social and political issues? Some would say that children are too young to learn about slavery, the slave trade, or human trafficking. They may be convinced their minds are too “innocent” and shouldn’t be consumed by such horrors. However, as kids kids grow older, they must be exposed to issues like the Libyan slave trade in order to understand the world. Today’s youth have so much control over public opinion and what information is exposed to the general public because of platforms like social media. Therefore,  it’s essential they are involved or at least aware of such issues like the Libyan slave trade (many are not now).

Though not as widespread in some countries, human trafficking is an ongoing issue in many communities across the globe. In Libya, the open slave market still exists and Libyan refugees and migrants are being sold. Due to a reckless and unstable government, Libya has demonstrated very few solutions for victims who have been affected by the slave trade. Over the last two years, Benghazi has become a capital for innocent Libyan citizens who have been sold and massacred without justice.

It’s not just the younger generations that can be ignorant toward this issue. While the American government has presented no direct influence on the Libyan slave trade, it’s militaristic interventions with Libya was a major factor. In 2011 during Arab Springs, a militaristic and violent insurgency emerged against the “erratic” Libyan leader Moammar Qaddafi. Consequently, the United Nations Ordered a military intervention into Libya which led to the immediate death of Leader Qaddafi. While a leader as corrupt as Qaddafi was thankfully overthrown, his death only left Libya “lawless, over-armed, and under-democratized with a dispossessed population struggling to survive in conditions of civil war and chaos.” The result of a now ruthless government only made the slave trade one of the many problems of this country. Cleary, the U.S was partly responsible. However, President Trump has done nothing to assist Libya besides accusing CNN News for presenting fake news and considered the slave auctions to be a lie.

We can’t follow in the same footsteps as our President. 42 million American teenagers can have more influence than one man. Slave trading is an issue that affects all of us; not just Libyans. According to the authors of humantraffickinghotline.org, the cities with the most documented human trafficking include Houston, New York City, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Atlanta. Each city statistically proves to receive  between a number of 1,000 to 4,000 emergency phone calls regarding human trafficking within just nine years. This is nearly as severe as the slave trade in Libya. However, there is one difference between the U.S and Libya in this regard: We have received better resources for post traumatic stress disorders. We have access to greater security measures.  As teens, we have a greater technological facility and are very adept at mobilizing massive amounts of people rather easily. What better way to use our voice through communication, empowerment, and protest? The more we get American citizens involved in the issue, the easier it’ll be to solve. Slave trading will continue if it remains  an underreported and disregarded issue. The best way to ensure that doesn’t happen is by getting our kids, teens, and young adults discussing the problem and finding solutions with the click of a button.