RESEARCH & POLICY
Pioneering youth-led policy research that bridges the gap between young Americans and the policymakers who shape their futures.
Our Approach
We believe real policy change starts with listening. We analyze the concerns of our grassroots base to inform our policy work, ensuring that young people's voices don't just get heard, but that they shape legislation.
Gathering Perspectives
We conduct listening sessions and focus groups across the country, understanding youth perspectives that policymakers often overlook.
Research
We synthesize students' perspectives, experts' knowledge, and academic literature to create innovative, bipartisan policy solutions.
Act
We translate research into action by getting our ideas in front of policy leaders, building broad coalitions around policy solutions, and drafting model legislation.
Youth Listening Sessions
Our research starts where it matters most: with our generation. Every major initiative we launch can be traced back to our listening sessions hosted on our campuses.
Summer 2025 AI Focus Group
Over the summer, we interviewed young people to learn more about their perception of AI chatbots, their emotional attachments to them, privacy concerns, and implications for mental health and social development.
The Human-like AI Coalition — A bipartisan coalition YPA founded to advocate for responsible AI companion regulation.
Fall 2025 Listening Session
This fall's past listening session gave us youth perspectives on economic opportunity, housing affordability, and the future of work, informing our American Dream advocacy agenda and subsequent petition we will be launching this spring.
The American Dream Declaration — A youth-driven policy agenda for increasing economic opportunity, making everyday goods more affordable, and building strong communities.
From Insights to Impact
Our research doesn't stay on paper—it drives real policy change and coalition building.
FTC Complaint
YPA filed a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission alleging deceptive and harmful practices by Replika AI, an AI companion platform targeting minors. This complaint was backed by hundreds of pages of youth testimony and research.
Key Findings:
- Exploitative design targeting vulnerable youth
- Inadequate age verification and safety measures
- Deceptive marketing of emotional support capabilities
Human-like AI Coalition
YPA founded this bipartisan coalition of youth advocates, mental health experts, and policy organizations to push for responsible regulation of AI companions. The coalition has developed a comprehensive policy framework now being adopted across multiple states.
Partner With Our Research
Interested in supporting youth-led policy research? We partner with foundations, academic institutions, and organizations committed to amplifying young voices in policymaking.