Talking With Kids About Boycotting and Collective Activism

On January 30, 2026, community organizers called for a nationwide strike in response to the federal government's immigration policies, the violent tactics used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the murders of Renée Nicole Good, Alex Pretti, Keith Porter, Jr., and others.

Nationwide strike gathering on January 30, 2026

Source: Damayan Migrant Workers Association/Used with permission

Many parents want to raise children who care about fairness, justice, and the well-being of others. Yet, we often struggle with how to explain complex social and political issues in ways that are honest, age-appropriate, and not overwhelming. Because of my roles as an educator, psychologist, and parent, people often ask me how to talk with children about political actions like boycotting.

Boycotting is a form of collective action in which people intentionally choose not to support a company, institution, or system because it causes harm. For adults, boycotts are often tied to politics, capitalism, and historical trauma. For children, however, the conversation does not need to begin there. In fact, starting with politics often misses what kids understand best.

Start With Humanity and Fairness

Before explaining what a boycott is, parents must discuss values. Children of all ages can be empathetic and understand that every person deserves safety, dignity, and care. They understand that hurting people, treating them unfairly, or making others feel bad is wrong. Accordingly, justice becomes personal rather than abstract, and political actions become easier to explain as moral choices rooted in care for others.

Parents might say something as simple as, “Sometimes we have to make choices to help others be treated fairly,” or “We do not support leaders or companies that hurt people.” These statements lay the foundation for deeper conversations when they understand more.

Define Boycotting as a Choice

At its core, boycotting is about choice. It is choosing not to support something, at least for a period of time, because it causes harm. Framing boycotting this way helps children understand that it is about upholding our values and integrity, instead of just punishing a company.

It can also be helpful to explain that governments, companies, or institutions sometimes hurt people or support actions that cause harm. When that happens, people may decide not to give their money, attention, or time to those systems. When many people make that same choice together, it sends a powerful, collective message.

Emphasize Collective Action

One of the most important lessons that boycotting teaches children is that change does not always happen alone. Individual choices matter, but collective choices can be more effective. Discussing boycotting as a group effort helps children understand the power of working together.

Further, the concept of boycotting counters the idea that justice requires confrontation or violence. It shows that quieter, intentional actions can still create an impact. Such lessons are especially important in a world where children are constantly exposed to images of conflict and chaos. Boycotting offers a model of resistance rooted in strategy, care, and community.

Source: August de Richelieu/Pexels

Engage in Age Appropriate Ways

As children understand the world differently depending on their developmental stage, conversations about boycotting or protest should reflect that. Just as we might change how we talk to kids of different ages about topics like race, gender, or sexuality, we can do the same regarding power, politics, and community organizing.

For children ages 3 to 5, the focus should remain concrete. At this age, kids are learning about rules, boundaries, and keeping people safe. You might explain boycotting by saying, “Some stores do not treat people kindly, so we are choosing not to shop there right now.” This age group benefits from simple explanations and examples drawn from their everyday lives, such as playing with toys that were made safely or not watching shows that make fun of people.

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For children ages 6 to 9, it is possible to talk about cause and effect. These kids are beginning to understand how systems work and how actions have consequences. You can explain that when many people stop buying something, companies sometimes notice and change their behavior.

For children ages 10 and older, conversations can become more explicit about systems and power. Kids in this age group are capable of understanding that laws and institutions are not always fair, and that disagreement and debate are part of democracy. This is an appropriate time to discuss historical boycotts, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott or the Delano Grape Strikes. Connecting personal values to social action and talking about multiple ways people resist injustice can assist young people in conceptualizing creative ways to use their voices for justice.

Normalize Questions and Discomfort

One of the most important things parents can do is normalize curiosity. When children ask questions about boycotting or injustice, it is a sign that they are thinking critically. Parents do not need to have perfect answers. Saying, “That is a good question,” or “I am still learning too,” models humility and lifelong learning. It also teaches children "how" to think rather than "what" to think.

Source: Nicola Barts/Pexels

Why This Kind of Parenting Matters

Sometimes people think that parents who have tough conversations about social justice (or injustice) create fear or rob their children of their innocence. However, many parents choose to have these conversations so that their kids are better prepared when they are indeed faced with oppression, or so that they aren't naive when they are exposed to inaccurate, false, or problematic information they learn from their peers, YouTube videos, or other influences.

Research on parent-involved racial socialization shows that children prepared for oppression tend to have better psychological outcomes than those who were unprepared or unaware. Such findings suggest that avoiding difficult topics does not protect children, but that honest, age-appropriate conversations help them succeed. In this way, teaching kids about activism is not about forcing adult politics onto children; it is about helping them understand that their choices have meaning. When children learn that their everyday decisions can affect people beyond themselves, they develop empathy, critical thinking, and a sense of collective responsibility.

Many parents often feel helpless or wish they had more resources to guide them. However, when it comes to difficult conversations like these, I hope they recognize that they already have several powerful tools, including their willingness to talk and listen, and their ability to model values through their own behaviors. When their actions show their children that justice is a practice rooted in humanity, their kids learn the most.