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I got my first cell phone when I was a freshman in high school. It was a Samsung flip phone that could only call and text. I remember keeping the strictest tabs on every text I sent so that I wouldn't run out or over my limit. iPhones were a thing that only rich grown-ups used, and even then the iPhone was about is as advanced as a rock compared to what it has become. I had no constant updates on current events, no news feeds to scroll through, and nothing but my parents and the TV to influence me on what was happening in our country. On top of that, the only thing I used a computer for was playing Runescape.

Those were the days.

The point is, I was still innocent and naïve to technology, and by direct effect, also to the political world. It is no secret that our current presidential election is one big, embarrassing disaster.

On one hand, you have an egotistical billionaire with absolutely zero political experience and no filter in his vocabulary. This is a man who has insulted practically every race in existence, compromised foreign relations with valuable allies and fueled the rampant fire spreading across America that is racism.

On the other, you have a corrupt, life-long politician who has blatantly lied on national television and been caught red handed breaking the law on multiple accounts. This woman is surrounded by sinister whispers and allegations of murder, fraud, and foreign corruption. One of the most common beliefs about her is that she has bought her way to presidential candidacy by means of a shady, multi-billion dollar foundation disguised as a charity fund.

To make matters worse, these two power mongers have turned our presidential election into a childish slug-fest, with each trying to prove that the other is the more dangerous option.

While I must admit that it is somewhat comical how theatrical and out of hand each candidate has carried themselves, the fate of our country is not.

Contrary to the media's portrayal of what is going on, this is not a publicity stunt or a reality TV show. This is an election to determine who will be in charge of one of the most powerful countries on the globe, leader of the free world, and most importantly, our home.

This will most likely come as old news to many reading this, just another article pointing out the obvious peril that we are in as a country. But, the point is not to reiterate what we already know, it is to bring a much more frightening point into light.

Kids nowadays have smartphones, tablets, and are more tech savvy than ever. Meaning, unlike any other generation, they have instant access to everything that is happening within this election.

Now, I do not think by any means that the majority of kids spend their time on CNN or Fox reading up on polls or what each candidates running platform is. But, I do know for a fact that the majority of them have Facebook and Twitter and they see the same crap that I see whenever I scroll through my news feeds. This crap is disguised by "funny" memes, propaganda-like videos condemning the opposing candidate, and hate-filled posts suggesting violence towards an opposing party.

I won't pretend that I ever paid much attention to politics until this election. Prior to college, every election seemed basically the same to me. Democrat vs Republican, Liberal vs Conservative, Right-wing vs Left wing. Obviously, there was much more to them, but they were not audacious enough to attract the attention of my naive, pre-teen or teenage brain. Point being, things were normal.

Can we take a second to think about what we are teaching kids about politics, and civil interactions with someone you disagree with in general?

While a lot of parents may be doing their best to teach their kids that what is happening is not only abnormal, but wrong; it doesn't stop them from opening their phone and being influenced by thousands of other sources every second.

We as a country are indirectly teaching our kids that calling someone a "fat pig" is okay while running for the most powerful position in the world.

We are teaching them that you can lie under oath and it be okay because, "At this point, does it really matter?".

Oh, it does. It matters a lot. This election has a primal feel to it, with each candidate pounding their chest, hoping to be the louder of the two to win the majority over.

We are leading kids to believe that all of the shady, sinister ideas about politics are not actually conspiracies, but truth. If an 8-year-old child sees a presidential candidate lie on national TV then brush it off like nothing, what is that implying in their mind?

You are supposed to elect an individual to a position power within our government for a reason,

you trust them to take care of you. The leader of a country, especially our own, should never be placed into power because voters think they are the lesser of two evils.

Think about the concepts that are being formed in our youths mind about a leader, about the manipulation of power, and how it can be exploited. A politician, especially the president, is supposed to be a shining example of diplomatic leadership.

A president is not supposed to divide a country, they are supposed to unite it.

I don't care who you are, what you believe, or which political party you claim. I know that we as Americans have enough sense to see that this is not right.

The worst part about all of this is unless some miracle happens, one of these two individuals is going to be elected. One way or another, someone totally unfit to be president is going to hold office and impose their will upon our country.

Nothing can be done about that, but we can at least teach our youth that what is going on is wrong. We may not be able to elect a better option, but we can influence the youth of this nation in a positive way and show them that this is not how politics or civil disputes, in general, should be handled.

The big twist about all of this is that I am still going to vote. It may matter and it may not, but I would be a total hypocrite if I argued for the system but didn't do my part to uphold it. Every person in this country has an opinion and has the ability to vote based upon it. That is a right that many people in this world will never have, and one that was by no means easily earned.

Use that right. Do your part. At least show your kids one good thing you can do in the midst of something so corrupt.