A new iPhone 7 is bound to come out soon, and a new Taylor Swift hit will probably come out along with it. For most, this means it is time to put the headphones in and tune everything else out. Although teenagers are believed to be disinterested in the outside world, adults are guilty of this as well. People all across the U.S. are so consumed with their own lives that they fail to remember that life exists beyond their borders. Some do not even know what is happening in their own country. A study by the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum found that 22% of Americans could name all five Simpson family members, yet only 0.001% of people could name all five First Amendment-freedoms. Despite modern technology, Americans are disturbingly ill-informed about domestic and international affairs.

This is a time where anyone can literally obtain information in seconds. It took two weeks for George Washington to find out that he had been elected U.S. president, but when a world event happens in 2015, it takes a matter of minutes for those across the globe to become informed given the current state of technology and global interconnection. However, millions of Americans are disturbingly ill-informed. What is worse is that many are aware of their ignorance and do not mind it. A new research study published by the American Psychological Association states, “the less people know about important and complex issues such as the economy, energy consumption and the environment, the more they want to avoid becoming well informed.” They found that the more challenging the issue, the more people chose to remain ignorant. Avoiding important issues leaves Americans uneducated about the world around them.

According to a study conducted by the Xavier University in Ohio, only 38% of Americans passed the U.S. citizenship test (which only requires a passing score of 60%) and more than 90% of immigrants applying for citizenship passed. Many born in the U.S. could not even identify who American hero Susan B. Anthony was or do not know why there are 13 stripes on the American flag. Additionally, Americans do not know enough about other countries. The European Journal of Communication administered a test to random U.S., Denmark, Britain, and Finland citizens to test them on their knowledge of international affairs in which the U.S. came in last. Only half of Americans could identify the Taliban, compared to three quarters of Europeans. This is quite alarming considering that the U.S. led the invasion in Afghanistan. In a study conducted by National Geographic, they found that young Americans from ages 18-24 are geographically illiterate. Ninety percent of them could not locate Afghanistan on a map of Asia and only 54 % of them knew that Sudan is a country in Africa. Americans may be even more ignorant about the outside world than they are about their own country.

One may question why it is important to be well-informed and may question if it benefits themselves personally. Being informed about important issues can make more of a difference than one may think. If U.S. citizens would like to live in a world with more justice, it is crucial that they become more well-informed. In the U.S., there is no excuse for being ill-informed. Americans are literate and have the opportunity, at little to no cost, to obtain an education and easily access information via libraries, internet, and other sources. Americans have the responsibility to be informed citizens in order to benefit their community.

Many have heard the quote “that with great power comes great responsibility.” It is not much of a stretch to augment the word “power” to include “privilege.” A person who chooses to be ill-informed about domestic and international issues is saying that it is not relevant to their existence. However, humanity is a worthwhile cause, and it should be relevant to everyone’s existence, even if it does not affect their daily life. As artist Donny Miller once said, “In the age of information, ignorance is a choice.” Americans should utilize their privilege to make a choice and become well-informed citizens.