December 1 Newsletter
1. Jasmine R. (11th grade)
Last year, I got into a minor car accident when my friend was driving me home. The other driver’s insurance company called me directly, asking for a statement. I had no idea I didn’t have to talk to them without a parent or lawyer. I accidentally said something that made it sound like I was at fault, even though I wasn’t even driving.
Later, my mom told me that my words could’ve been used against us. I felt sick knowing how easily I could’ve messed things up just because I didn’t know my rights in that situation.
2. Kevin L. (10th grade)
When I got my first part-time job, I thought it was normal to be scheduled way more hours than I asked for. My boss also wouldn’t let me take breaks during long shifts. I didn’t know there were laws about how many hours teens could work or that I had a right to breaks.
I just kept working through exhaustion until one of my older coworkers told me I was being taken advantage of. It made me realize how many teens probably get treated unfairly just because we don’t know the rules that are supposed to protect us.
3. Aaliyah M. (12th grade)
I was pulled aside by a security guard at a store once, accused of shoplifting even though I hadn’t done anything. I was so scared that I just let him search my bag without saying a word. Later, I found out I didn’t have to consent like that without a reason or a witness.
The whole time, I kept thinking everyone was looking at me like I was a criminal. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized how powerless I had felt simply because I didn’t know my rights.
4. Ryan P. (9th grade)
One day, I was in the office and the vice principal started asking me questions about another student. I thought I had to answer everything honestly, even though I didn’t really know what was going on. I ended up saying things that made my friend sound guilty, and it got him in trouble.
Afterward, I found out I didn’t have to answer questions like that without my parents being there. I still feel bad that my words might have hurt my friend just because I didn’t understand my rights at school.
5. Sofia G. (11th grade)
When my landlord raised the rent on the apartment my mom and I were living in, I just thought we had no choice but to pay. We started skipping meals and cutting back on everything just to afford it. Later, a family friend explained that tenants actually have protections, and rent increases can’t always happen so suddenly.
It hurt to realize that my mom and I had been struggling unnecessarily, all because we didn’t know the laws that were meant to help us.
6. Marcus D. (12th grade)
During a routine traffic stop, the police asked if they could search my car. I was nervous and didn’t know I had the right to say no if there wasn’t a reason. I agreed, and they went through all my stuff. Luckily, I didn’t have anything bad on me, but the feeling of being exposed was awful.
I learned later that I didn’t have to let them do that. It made me angry that my fear and lack of knowledge gave someone else control over me like that.
7. Hannah K. (10th grade)
I once signed up for a free trial of a music app and didn’t realize I had agreed to automatic payments. A few weeks later, money started disappearing from my account. I felt stupid, like it was my fault for not reading the fine print.
When I asked around, I learned that companies are required to make those terms clear and that I had a right to cancel and get refunded. Nobody ever taught me how to read contracts or understand consumer rights.
8. Jose M. (11th grade)
At work, my manager would text me late at night to come in the next morning. I thought I had to say yes or I’d lose my job. It wasn’t until my cousin told me that employers can’t treat you like you’re on-call all the time that I realized it wasn’t fair.
I was losing sleep and falling behind in school because I didn’t know I could stand up for myself. Teens shouldn’t have to figure out labor rights the hard way.
9. Emily S. (9th grade)
I once got called into the office for something I didn’t do. I was so intimidated that I signed a statement they gave me without even reading it properly. I just thought refusing would make things worse.
Later, I found out that what I signed made it look like I admitted guilt. If I had known I had the right to ask questions or wait for a parent, things could have gone differently.
10. Daniel C. (12th grade)
When I was applying to college, I got an email from what I thought was a scholarship program. They asked me for my Social Security number. I sent it without thinking, only to find out later that it was a scam.
It was humiliating to realize I had given away such personal information just because I didn’t know how to protect myself legally and financially.
11. Maya T. (11th grade)
At my part-time job, we didn’t get paid overtime even when we stayed late. I thought it was just how things worked. Some kids even worked six days in a row and didn’t question it.
Later, I found out that there are strict rules about overtime and working hours, especially for teens. It made me realize how easily we can be exploited if we don’t know what’s supposed to protect us.
12. Alex J. (10th grade)
I got hurt at work when I slipped in the stockroom. My manager told me not to make a big deal of it and just go home. I didn’t know I had the right to report the injury or that workers’ comp even existed.
My ankle hurt for weeks, and I had to pay for the doctor’s visit out of pocket. I felt powerless because I didn’t understand what protections I was supposed to have.
13. Brianna L. (9th grade)
My teacher once searched my backpack without asking me. I didn’t think I could say anything, even though it felt like an invasion of privacy. Everyone in class saw, and I felt so embarrassed.
Later, someone explained that students actually do have rights in school, even if they’re limited. I wish I had known that in the moment.
14. Omar V. (12th grade)
I was once pressured to sign a waiver at a summer program without really understanding it. It basically said they weren’t responsible if anything happened to me. At the time, I thought signing was mandatory.
Now I know I could’ve asked questions or even refused. It made me realize how often teens are made to sign things we don’t really understand.
15. Chloe N. (11th grade)
When I got in trouble at school, I didn’t know I could have a parent present for the meeting. I was alone with administrators, and I felt like they didn’t believe anything I said.
I left the room crying because I felt completely powerless. Later, I found out I should have had the chance to wait for my mom.
16. Ethan W. (10th grade)
I once got tricked into signing up for a credit card at a mall kiosk. They made it sound like free rewards, and I didn’t know enough about debt or interest to understand the risks.
It stressed me out when the bills started coming, and I had no idea what to do. Nobody had ever taught me about my financial rights, so I just felt trapped.
