The Kids are Alright - Montreal Gazette April 2026

Spend five minutes with the news in 2026 and it’s hard not to feel uneasy. Climate anxiety, economic instability, war and the relentless pace of technological change dominate the headlines. Artificial intelligence is reshaping work, schools are under pressure to evolve, and many adults quietly wonder whether the next generation is prepared for what is coming.

From where I stand — working closely with young people every day as the principal of an alternative high school in Montreal — I would argue the opposite. The kids are not only alright; they may be better equipped for the future than we were.

The phrase calls to mind The Kids Are Alright, written by Pete Townshend of The Who, but this isn’t nostalgia. It’s an observation grounded in daily experience. Today’s youth are not simply enduring a complex world; they are developing practical resilience within it.

Resilience may be an overused word, but here it fits. Many of our students arrive having struggled in traditional school settings. They’ve felt disengaged, mislabelled or out of place in systems that didn’t adapt to them. Yet when given an environment that balances structure with autonomy — one that meets them where they are — they don’t fold under pressure. They recalibrate.

I’ve watched students rebuild not just their academic standing, but their sense of self. One student, after years of frustration, began with modest, achievable goals. Before long, he wasn’t just completing work — he was organizing his time, setting direction and supporting others. That transformation reflects a deeper shift toward ownership and confidence.

There is a persistent narrative that young people are apathetic or disconnected. In reality, many are more aware than we were — sometimes uncomfortably so. They understand the stakes of climate change, the realities of global conflict and the instability of modern economies. Rather than shutting down, many respond with grounded, local action.

At the same time, a growing chorus warns that we are raising an “anxious generation,” pointing to rising stress, screen time and social pressures as signs of fragility. These concerns are not without merit, but they often miss what is happening in plain sight. What can appear as anxiety is frequently heightened awareness paired with a willingness to engage. Many young people are learning — sometimes imperfectly, but meaningfully — how to carry that awareness and still move forward.

There is a persistent narrative that young people are apathetic or disconnected. In reality, many are more aware than we were.

Technology, often framed as a threat, is another area where young people quietly excel. They are not passive consumers but active problem-solvers — searching, comparing, testing and refining ideas in real time. They collaborate fluidly, teach one another and adapt to new tools with a speed that often outpaces adults.

None of this suggests that young people have it easy. They face significant challenges: mental health pressures, uncertain career paths and constant comparison in a digital environment. But these realities do not weaken them; they reveal how their adaptability is being forged.

What they need from us, then, is more than recognition. They need adults —parents, teachers, mentors — who combine high expectations with genuine trust. They need environments flexible enough to respond to who they are, guidance that listens as much as it directs, and opportunities to take ownership of their growth. Most important, they need us to model curiosity, resilience and a willingness to keep learning.

Every generation has faced doubt from the one before it. History shows that young people consistently rise to meet the demands of their time.

The difference now is not that the challenges are greater — though they are more visible and complex — but that the tools and mindsets young people bring are evolving just as quickly.

While the world of 2026 is undeniably uncertain, daily experience offers strong grounds for confidence. The next generation is already adapting, contributing and finding its footing in a shifting landscape.

The real test is whether adults are prepared to act — deliberately and consistently — to support them in ways that truly matter: not only with encouragement, but with opportunity, trust and active partnership.

Because the kids are alright — they always have been.

James Watts is principal of Education Plus, a private alternative high school in St-Laurent.