Shake up this list
Each year, Time compiles a list of the Top 30 most influential teens by considering “accolades across numerous fields, global impact through social media and overall ability to drive news.”
In previous years, I was annoyed and even outraged that social media stars and reality television figures such as Kylie Jenner were listed on the same level as activists such as Malala Yousafzai four years in a row since the list was launched in 2013. In my mind, Jenner, who has done little more than release overpriced cosmetics lines and be criticized for appropriating African-American culture, didn’t deserve being described as someone who “has changed beauty,” when James Charles — the YouTube beauty guru and first male Cover Girl model — made the same list.
While I have nothing against this year’s “repeats” like Jaden Smith, Maddie Ziegler, Shawn Mendes or even Chloe Kim — who’ll probably make the list again next year after her predicted gold medal performance in the Winter Olympics — it’s time for fresh faces like figure skater Nathan Chen. The list should not be about nominating the same people year after year right up until they turn 20 years old, or typing a paragraph that is only a variation of their nomination from last year. Making this list should be an acknowledgment that signifies success in one’s career at a young age and because they have done something to influence society or change.
For example, one of my favorites who made the list this year was Bretman Rock, a 19-year-old LGBTQ+ beauty personality and person of color based in Hawaii. Yet I was disappointed to read Time’s all-too-modest recap of his success and recognize him “for demonstrating makeup skills … that could give the Kardashians a run for their money.” Why did they neglect to acknowledge his participation in anti-bullying campaigns with Tarte Cosmetics and Bystander Revolutions? We admire Rock for his fiery personality and sassy, lovable nature, but this, in conjunction with everything he’s done, is why he is an “influential teen” and should be appropriately recognized as such.
And perhaps more global figures can and should be recognized. I was pleased to see Chinese pop singer Wang Yuan and mixed Nigerian and South Korean male model Han Hyun Min (another one of my favorites) make the cut, but simultaneously dejected at the lack of more figures like them.
Another shortcoming of Time’s list is its age range of 13-19, which leaves out other figures such as Nikita Dragun, a 21-year-old entrepreneur working to combat transgender stereotypes by sharing her transition story. Perhaps the list should be expanded to “most influential millennials” or, better yet, something that will change with each new decade of people. Although we might be prone to a barrage of horrendous repeats and brand-name celebrities such as more of the Jenner-Kardashian clan, it would be a broader, more accurate representation of this current generation’s role models.