Far from being the apathetic, lazy generation, young people have had a cracking year.
From persuading Michael Gove to tackle FGM and changing a centuries-old tradition at Cambridge University, to organising tax-free tampons and exposing child prostitution in Jordan, these young Brits have made a difference.
Here are some of 2015's most prominent campaigners.
Young campaigners of 2015
Charlie Northrop(01 of10)
Charlie Northrop, 25, who transitioned from male to female in January 2015, successfully campaigned to change the formal dress code at a Cambridge University collegeand officials at St Catharine's have agreed to rewrite the rules.
Georgia-Blue Townshend(02 of10)
The 22-year-old from Colchester set up ‘Supporting Sisters’, a charity that provides sanitary wear to homeless women and refugees (credit:Supporting Sisters)
Dolly Ogunrinde(03 of10)
Dolly Ogunrinde, NUS’s inspirational woman student of the year - organised the campaign to have UEA sell tax-free tampons (first uni in the country to do so) and the ’Never OK’ campaign , which aims to stamp out sexual harassment
Jonathan Lawrence(04 of10)
Writing as ‘James Tailor’, Jonathan Lawrance visited the Jordanian city of Zarqa, exposing the seemingly widespread exploitation by older men seeking out young male prostitutes. His report raised questions about the recruitment and trade in these boys, as well as the wider consequences for the spread of AIDs throughout the region. ‘Child prostitution in Zarqa: a city paralysed by the mafia’, can be read here. (credit:Amnesty International)
Sirina-Monique and Christian Webb(05 of10)
Sirina-Monique (pictured with Gok Wan) and Christian Webb were crowned Stonewall's young campaigners of the year for their work to improve the lives of LGBT people.
Sirina-Monique from Peterborough was named joint-winner for writing, recording and creating a music video for a rap tackling discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people. She also helped train teachers at her college on tackling homophobic language and met with its senior staff to discuss equality and diversity issues within it.
Christian Webb from Swansea went back to his old school where he created a Sixth Form Equality Panel of over thirty students, delivered workshops to over 200 young people and hosted a coffee morning where he shared Stonewall resources with students and staff.
Sirina-Monique from Peterborough was named joint-winner for writing, recording and creating a music video for a rap tackling discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people. She also helped train teachers at her college on tackling homophobic language and met with its senior staff to discuss equality and diversity issues within it.
Christian Webb from Swansea went back to his old school where he created a Sixth Form Equality Panel of over thirty students, delivered workshops to over 200 young people and hosted a coffee morning where he shared Stonewall resources with students and staff.
Students from the People & Planet Edinburgh society(06 of10)
Students from the People & Planet group at Edinburgh University staged a sit-in earlier this year after the university continued its investment in fossil fuels.
As a result of the group's protest, the university announced in May it intends to fully divest from three of the world’s biggest fossil fuel producers within six months.
As a result of the group's protest, the university announced in May it intends to fully divest from three of the world’s biggest fossil fuel producers within six months.
Michaela Hollywood(07 of10)
Michaela Hollywood is one of the founding members of Trailblazers, a campaign group for young disabled people.In October, Michaela, who was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), was awarded a Point of Light by Prime Minister David Cameron which recognises outstanding volunteering.In November, Michaela was named by the BBC in their list of 100 inspirational women who are working to change their world in 2015.
Hussain Manawer(08 of10)
The 24-year-old Essex born Manawer won a competition to send him into space, thanks to his charity work.
He's visited more than 300 schools across the UK to hold cyber bullying talks to raise awareness on how young people can stay safe online. He's also given careers assemblies to inspire and motivate students, and poetry workshops to encourage the use of expression through the arts.
Not to mention taking nearly 100 Londoners with him to climb various mountains in the UK, raising thousands of pounds for charities - including those supporting the refugees crisis, victims of war, and deprived communities in rural Africa.
He's visited more than 300 schools across the UK to hold cyber bullying talks to raise awareness on how young people can stay safe online. He's also given careers assemblies to inspire and motivate students, and poetry workshops to encourage the use of expression through the arts.
Not to mention taking nearly 100 Londoners with him to climb various mountains in the UK, raising thousands of pounds for charities - including those supporting the refugees crisis, victims of war, and deprived communities in rural Africa.
Fahma Mohamed and Muna Hassan(09 of10)
Bristol schoolgirl Fahma Mohamed (pictured) and Muna Hassan teamed up with a group of young women from youth charity Integrate Bristol to campaign against FGM. They successfully persuaded the then education secretary Michael Gove to contact every school about FGM, as well as winning the backing of UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon.
Fatima Awil(10 of10)
Fatima Awil is a 19-year-old campaigner, activist and human rights advocate. She’s a co-founder of Youth For Change, a youth-led initiative supported by Plan UK, and has helped design #TrainToProtect, a new national campaign to make school’s a safer place to report FGM and child marriage.