High school students are protesting against One Nation. What’s the point if they can’t vote?

Hundreds of school and university students are set to skip classes today as part of a nationwide protest against Pauline Hanson and One Nation. The National Union of Students has termed it a "fight against racism" and a way to "stand up against the far right". While protesting is a legitimate form of political participation, there has been criticism.

Liberal Senator Alex Antic questioned why students are protesting issues they may not fully understand and why adults are encouraging them to do so. Critics argue that 18-year-olds should not protest politicians or political parties if they cannot vote. However, young people do have political and civic rights, as per the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

They have the right to civic and political association, participation and representation. In Australia, political representatives should be accountable to all citizens, regardless of age. Despite this, research suggests young people are often portrayed as "apprentice citizens" who should only learn about democracy but should not participate.

However, studies show that young people do have strong views on societal issues and can articulate these when given platforms to express their views. Research also shows that involvement in civic and political action, such as attending protests, can help students develop their understanding of rights and concerns, and provide opportunities to bridge gaps in knowledge.

Historically, student protests have led to change, such as in the 1970s when students protested against gender segregation and corporal punishment in schools. More recently, student activism for climate justice has led to changes in government policies. These student-led movements have shown that young people can have a tangible effect on how the country is governed, reminding politicians and the community that young people matter for democracy.