Adulthood Is a Myth | Valeria Suffoletto & Sophia Buzzi | TEDxLAHS

Turning 18 is often presented as the point when young people become capable, informed and ready for adult life. This TEDxLAHS talk by Valeria Suffoletto and Sophia Buzzi argues that adulthood is better understood as access to knowledge, power and the unwritten rules that most people are never explicitly taught. The speakers examine how young people are kept out of systems they are expected to navigate later, and ask what changes when that access is given earlier. The talk is presented by the speakers as part of a TEDx event organized independently by a local community.

• Challenges the idea that turning 18 automatically brings capability and readiness
• Frames adulthood as access to knowledge, power and unwritten rules
• Asks what happens when young people gain that access earlier
• Speakers are high school students linked to the RightSide initiative

Their talk challenges one of the most accepted lies we’re taught growing up: that turning 18 suddenly makes you capable, informed, and ready. It argues that “adulthood” isn’t a moment, but access to knowledge, power, and a hidden set of rules most people are never explicitly taught. This talk exposes how young people are kept out of systems they’re expected to eventually navigate, and asks a simple but unsettling question: what happens when they’re given that access earlier? Valeria Suffoletto is a high school student at Los Altos High School who is a driven student athlete. She is captain of the girls lacrosse team and is actively involved in journalism, with a focus on photojournalism, where she captures and tells stories through visual media. She also serves as the Director of Outreach for RightSide, encouraging curiosity and critical thinking in asking questions. Sophia Buzzi is a student, speaker, and founder committed to helping young people understand their rights and use their voice. She is the creator of RightSide, a youth-led initiative that has reached over 9,000 students through school partnerships and workshops, equipping them with practical knowledge about legal rights, self-advocacy, and how to navigate the systems that shape their lives. She is also the founder of Voices Without Borders, where she leads mentorship and English tutoring for Ukrainian students affected by war and displacement. Through both initiatives, Sophia has focused her work on expanding access to information, opportunity, and support for communities that are too often overlooked. Originally from Miami and now based in California, Sophia brings a perspective shaped by diverse communities and a strong sense of purpose. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx