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Since schools don’t always teach current events, we asked our staff writers to share where they learn about what’s happening in the world. They said they go to news websites, use social media like Facebook and Twitter, and even watch shows making fun of the news.

The L.A. Times and Huffington Post

I started getting into the news this summer. I used to not pay attention to it because I didn’t know what they were talking about. But then I picked a project for school to write restaurant reviews and I started reading news stories on Yahoo! so I could learn how to write articles. When I didn’t understand a definition or topic I looked it up online. I started reading about the demonstrations in Egypt and I was learning about things that mattered and I felt more connected to the world.

Now I sometimes buy the Los Angeles Times. I start with the front page and then I look for articles about politics or other parts of the world. I also read political stories on HuffingtonPost.com. It’s helped me a lot in school. Right now I’m taking government and reading the newspaper shows me how the government really runs. We took a test and I was the only one who got an A plus. By reading the newspaper you can make up your own mind about what’s right and wrong and not be influenced when politicians lie.
Miguel Molina, 17, Film & Theatre Arts Charter HS

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My Facebook newsfeed

With the economy in bad condition and UC tuition rising, I like to know what’s happening in the world and how it affects me. I also like being informed because it makes me feel smart. In class if the teacher talks about a current event, I like being able to contribute. In the mornings while I’m getting ready for school, I watch KTLA. The weather reports are important to me because I dress according to the weather. In the evenings I watch the news in Spanish with my parents. They focus on things happening in Mexico and Latin America. Both my parents are from Mexico so they like to see what is happening there and I feel connected to my culture through the news. Another way I keep up to date is by “liking” news organizations on Facebook. I’ve liked a few news pages such as L.A. Youth, LA Weekly and a few Spanish news organizations. This is easy and convenient because updates and breaking news show up in my newsfeed.
Jessica Marin, 17, Culver City HS

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The L.A. Times, Economist and news sites

I check the news several times a day. It’s a bit like an addiction. When I was in ninth grade, I started reading the news to prepare for speech and debate competitions. I enjoy following current events because I learn a lot about the world, like when I read articles about the stock market and the global economy (although it can get really confusing sometimes). When I read something really interesting or surprising, I share it with my friends. 

My family gets the Los Angeles Times every day and the Sunday New York Times. I usually read the front page, local news and the comics (I like Frazz). I get the Economist magazine every week, which is my favorite news source because of how sensible and balanced it seems. I also read online sources like CNN, the Washington Post and KTLA because they are free and at KTLA.com I can get updates about what’s going on in my area. It takes me only 30 minutes a day to stay informed.
Aaron Schwartz, 16, Gabrielino HS

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Thehill.com

I discovered TheHill.com one night while searching for information about a bill for my government homework. It’s a website that monitors what’s happening in Congress and many of the articles are about issues I’d never heard of before. This website made me realize how much power the people in Congress have to pass laws that affect the American people, whether in a good way or a bad way. As future voters, we will have the power to change our society, but to do so we must be informed. I intend to stay informed about politics so that when I become a voter, I can make decisions that reflect my interests and values and vote for public officials who have similar views.
Laura Rios, 17, Bishop Conaty—Our Lady of Loretto HS 

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Twitter

When I noticed that the Los Angeles Times had a Twitter account I started to follow them so I would know about breaking news as it was happening. I also started to follow The Associated Press and Time magazine. They tweet breaking news and interesting articles. 

What I like about Twitter is that with the app on my phone I can access it wherever I am. Now I always know what’s happening in L.A. and around the world. I always felt it was important to be informed but I didn’t want to go out of my way to find the news. With Twitter, the news is always in front of me and I don’t need to hunt down the information. Now I get local news such as robberies and accidents near my house, as well as national and world news, on my own time.
Victor Beteta, 18, University HS

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The Daily Show and The Colbert Report

I don’t like the news because it always gets me upset. When I watched MSNBC I would get angry about the stupidity of our elected officials. But I still feel it’s important to stay updated on current events, so I don’t become ignorant. Weirdly enough, I watch two comedy shows, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, to get my news. The shows air on Comedy Central and are parodies of news organizations like MSNBC and FOX. One time John Stewart was talking about tax increases on the rich and how Republicans are up in arms about rich people becoming an endangered species. He followed it up with a segment in which he was setting up a donation fund to help keep rich people from becoming extinct. I watch them for fun, but it’s a nice bonus that they keep me up to date on my news.
Nicholas Robinson, 16, Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts

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Youth and Goverment program

Youth and Government is an activity I do outside of school. It’s a mock California legislature and educates teens about the legislative process. At my Youth and Government meetings, we discuss one current event every week. One week we discussed California’s pollution problem and the week before we discussed the changes in Zambia’s government. It makes me feel more informed in a world where teenagers aren’t always inspired to be the first to hear about world issues. Whenever I ask my history teacher to talk about current events with us in school he says, “Do it yourself” or “Go read a newspaper.” Staying informed on your own is important, but it’s frustrating to me that our teachers won’t even help us in the process. I am lucky to be able to talk about current issues in Youth and Government. I think that if all kids were able to discuss current events, and be able to hear different opinions about them every week, then we would be much more prepared for the future. We are the future leaders of this country. We have to know what is happening around the world and in our backyards or else we will be unprepared for what lies ahead.
ElizabethVidar, 17, North Hollywood HS Zoo Magnet