Tonight with your 13 to 17 year old

The prompt

“Is there a cause or issue you find yourself caring about more than most people you know?”

What to listen for

If they answer with real conviction, notice whether it connects to something personal, a friend, an experience, something they read or watched. That connection tells you this isn't performative; it's tied to their sense of right and wrong, and often to their sense of identity.

If they seem almost surprised by their own passion as they talk it through, that's a great sign, you're watching them discover their own values in real time, which is exactly what this age is for.

If nothing comes to mind, don't worry, not everyone has a cause yet, and that's completely normal; you can just say you're curious what might grab them someday.

What this tells you

This reveals what matters to them at a deeper level than school or friends, and hints at the kind of person they're becoming when no one's grading them on it.