How (not) to talk to teens: a college student believes teens really do want to know about their government and what it's like being a legislator.

• Author: Sunshine, Rebecca

As a legislator you may receive many invitations to talk to high school and college-aged constituents about the legislative process. These opportunities can be more than a civics lesson for a bunch of teenagers. They can be a civics lesson for you, as well. Teenagers are always trying to figure out what is going to be the next big thing, whether it is a policy issue or just a really cool thing you can plug into an iPod. Remember that Facebook.com wasn't invented in Silicon Valley, but was a class assignment for a college student. Teens aren't all that scary. We can be pretty nice and helpful people when we are treated like adults. Here are some tips on how to talk to teens.

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Don't talk down to us. Remember how grown-up you felt when you were a teenager? We don't like being treated like babies. Don't try to water it down for us. Tell us the facts. If we really know what is going on in our government then we are more likely to take a stand than to sit down and watch as policy passes us by.

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Talk about issues that we care about. Many of us are either approaching or are already in the years when we have to figure out what comes next. We have finished high school, but not all of us are going to college. And those who are going to college have to figure out how to pay for it. Tell us what you're doing to make our transition into reality an easier one. Education is a big issue for all of us, but we also care about other national issues. When you talk to us include many of the topics you would when talking to adults at a town meeting. We might not think that Medicare and Social Security are important to us now, but we do know that actions you take today will affect our future.

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Ask us our opinions. We have questions for you. We're constantly wondering. This is mostly because at this age we begin to question why government is the way it is--a big bureaucracy seemingly filled with scandals. It is important you answer our questions honestly, but along with that, please ask us questions as well. Everyone, no matter their age, likes to feel important. Asking us for our own thoughts on issues will make us understand that you are listening to us and not just to our parents.

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Be yourself. If you have a ridiculous story of something you did when you were in high school or college, find a way to include it in your speech. It makes us feel like we are on the same level, so we will be comfortable getting in contact with you and letting you know...