Social Media Toolkit

Youth Leadership

February is Youth Leadership month! The goal of this month is to get young people involved in their community and allow them to step into leadership roles.  To honor youth leaders this month, we are providing a platform for youth voices. This toolkit can help with: 

  • Middle school to high school transitions
  • Messages from teenagers to adults
  • What it means to be a leader 

These social media posts can be used as they are, or the links can be customized to direct people to your local prevention program. 

Sample Social Media Posts

Hashtags: #Leadership #YouthLeadership #TeenLeadership #SchoolTransitions #YouthLeadershipMonth #GetParentingTips 

Middle School to High School Transitions

  • “The road ahead is treacherous and it’s long, but the road to success is solidified by the friends and peers at your side. Make sure you have that foundation” – Alex. Learn more on how to help your teens here: http://tinyurl.com/GPTTeens 
  • “Take it slow and seriously. Transitioning from middle to high school was rough during the pandemic. Things in high school stick with you. Find activities and groups you enjoy.” – JaCori. Learn more on how to help your teens here:  http://tinyurl.com/PeerPressureGPT
  • “Have fun. It’s scary at first, but have fun and stay calm. It’s important to take it seriously and work toward goals, but you need fun and to take care of yourself.” - Stacey. Learn more on how to help your teens here: http://tinyurl.com/GPTTeens 
  • “Never give up. You never know what is going to happen. Don’t be scared to make a jump (elementary to middle school)." – Jennifer. Learn more on how to help your teens here: http://tinyurl.com/GPTTeens 
  • “Never procrastinate. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or advice. Take control of your path.” – Mario. Learn more on how to help your teens here: http://tinyurl.com/GPTTeens 
  • “Find that person or group you can really relate to. Don’t be afraid to communicate with staff.” – Keziah. Learn more on how to help your teens here: http://tinyurl.com/PeerPressureGPT 
  • “While you need to be focused, don’t close yourself out from the joy of high school.” – Alex. Learn more on how to help your teens here: http://tinyurl.com/GPTTeens 
  • “Learn what type of friends you have because they can influence your future.” – Jennifer. Learn more on how to help your teens here: http://tinyurl.com/PeerPressureGPT 

Messages to Adults 

  • “Rebellious behavior is not always founded on intent to do harm to others, but rather a yearning for freedom of expression. Parents need to acknowledge each kid is their own person and provide some liberty for them to become that person. When they don’t have that freedom in their home life, they may turn to social media or other sources that may not be as positive.” - Alex. Learn more about understanding teens here: http://tinyurl.com/UnderstandingTeensGPT 
  • “There’s going to be some mood swings. Sometimes we may want space, and others may want support.” – Jennifer. Learn more about positive parenting techniques here: tinyurl.com/PosParGPT 
  • “Be patient when things are tough on youth. When parents are quick to judge, it is harder on everyone. Be compassionate.” – Mario. Learn more about understanding teens here: http://tinyurl.com/UnderstandingTeensGPT 
  • “I would have wanted my parents to be there more and pay attention to what is going on. Ask me about how things are - be that buddy,” – Jennifer. Learn more about understanding teens here: http://tinyurl.com/UnderstandingTeensGPT 
  • “Some parents are scared to let us try new things. Let go a little bit and trust us. That’s how we build trust between parents and teens. They should also be able to share their opinion and have it respected.” – Stacey. Learn more about positive parenting techniques here: tinyurl.com/PosParGPT 
  • “Be more of yourself and try to connect to students and children. It doesn’t always have to be serious or academic. Build that bond of trust.” – Keziah. Learn more about understanding teens here: http://tinyurl.com/UnderstandingTeensGPT 
  • “Sometimes it’s best for parents to not try and ‘fix’ everything right away. Sometimes the child just needs time and support - not a solution.” – Alex. Learn more about positive parenting techniques here: tinyurl.com/PosParGPT 

What it Means to be a Leader 

  • On leadership: “Have a greater understanding of self. Have a voice and a purpose to make change.” – Alex. Learn more on how to help your teens here: http://tinyurl.com/TeentoAdultGPT 
  • On leadership: “Set an example for other kids that feel the need to say something. Have the confidence to better themselves and set an example for others.” – Khloe. Learn more on how to help your teens here: http://tinyurl.com/TeentoAdultGPT 
  • “You don’t always have to be the one to step up. You can encourage others to step up and grow. This builds everyone’s confidence.” – Keziah. Learn more on how to help your teens here: http://tinyurl.com/GPTTeens 
  • “Sometimes being a leader is not about you. It’s about listening to others and how you take in their opinions. It’s knowing how to treat others. You don’t decide if you’re a leader - it must come from others.” – Jennifer. Learn more on how to help your teens here: http://tinyurl.com/TeentoAdultGPT 

Sample Images

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"While you need to be focused, you don't close yourself out from the joy of high school." - Alex, Youth Leadership
"Take it slow and seriously. Transitioning from middle to high school was rough during the pandemic. Things in high school stick with you. Find activities and groups you enjoy." - JaCori Brown
"Find that person or group you can really relate to. Don't be afraid t communicate with staff." - Keziah
"The Road ahead is treacherous and it's long, but the road to success is solidified by the friends and peers at your side. Make sure you have that foundation." - Alex
"Be patient when things are tough on youth. When parents are quick to judge it is hardre on everyone. Be compassionate." - Mario
"There's going to be some mood swings. Sometimes we may want space, and others may want support." - Jennifer, Messages from teens to adults
"Rebellious behavior is not always founded on intent to do harm to others, but rather a yearning for freedome of expression. Parents need to acknowledge each kid is their own person and provide some liberty for them to become that person." - Alex
"Some parents are scared to let us try new things. Let go a little bit and trust us. That's how we build trust between parents and teens. They should also be able to share their opinion and have it respected." - Stacey
"Be more of yourself and try to connect to students and children. It doesn't always have to be serious or academic. Build that bond of trust." - Keziah
"Learn what type of friends you have because they can influence your future." - Jennifer
On leadership: "Set an example for other kids that feel the need to say something. Have the confidence to better themselves and set an example for others." - Khloe
"Sometimes being a leadre is not about you. It's about listening to others and their opinions. It's knowing how to treat others. You don't decide if you're a leader. It comes from others." - Jennifer