Most students graduate knowing how to take a test but not how to read a contract, challenge a suspension, or understand their own rights.
We’re told that the law is something we’ll deal with later whether its in college, in court, or as adults. But students already interact with legal systems every day. They’re searched without cause, punished unfairly, misled online, or harassed at school. These aren’t theoretical problems. They’re real, and they happen early.
Legal Illiteracy Isn’t Just a Gap. It’s a Risk.
When students don’t learn the basics of the law, real consequences follow:
- Teens believe reposting misinformation is always protected speech (it isn’t)
- Harassment goes unreported because no one knows what qualifies
- Parents sign school waivers without reading the fine print
- Minority students are disciplined disproportionately and don’t know how to advocate for themselves
This isn’t just about missing knowledge. It’s about lacking tools to protect yourself.
What Legal Literacy Should Include
Legal literacy doesn’t mean memorizing court cases. It means learning what actually applies to your life:
- The rights you have in school, online, and in public
- How to evaluate the reliability of media
- What due process really looks like in education
- What consent means under the law, not just socially
Students should know these things before they’re expected to act like informed citizens.
Why I Started This Blog
I recently submitted a legal resolution to my city council that focused on digital safety, media awareness, and youth legal education. It’s now under review. But even if it passes, one resolution won’t fix the deeper problem: the lack of legal education in schools.
So I’m starting here. Each week, I’ll break down legal topics that affect young people — clearly, accurately, and without the jargon.
Because the law shouldn’t be gatekept. And understanding it shouldn’t be optional.
THE LEGALLY ONLINE BLOG 