Engage students in a study of the roots of crime among teenagers and solutions beyond incarceration in this video from FILMS BYKIDS: I Could Tell You ‘Bout My Life. Inspired by the “Raise the Age” movement, New York has raised the age of criminal responsibility to 18, no longer prosecuting and incarcerating 16- and 17-year-olds as adults. When Michael Martin got arrested at age 17, this law did not exist. As a result, a judge sentenced him to jail time on Rikers Island. His story is personal, but also reflects the experience of many young people who have found themselves trapped in the juvenile justice system in the United States. Support materials include a background essay, discussion questions, and links to additional classroom resources on the BYkids website.

FILMS BYKIDS pairs master filmmakers with teenagers from around the world to create short personal documentaries that educate Americans as they encourage understanding and engagement about globally relevant issues.