30 Most Influential Teens of 2015

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Some teens have become highly influential, famous and rich thanks to modern technologies like social media. These teens are inspiring millions all over the world.

Compiled by the TIME magazine, based on various factors like overall ability to drive news, accolades across numerous fields and global impact through social media; we look at the 30 most influential teens of 2015.

30.Lele Pons (Age: 19), American

Lele Pons

Miami teen Eleonora Pons, better known as Lele Pons is the most-watched person on Vine. She has more than 7.2 billion loops and 9.7 million followers. Best recognized for her six-second video loops. She is popular across multiple social media platforms.

29.Kim Kataguiri (Age: 19), Brazilian

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Kim is famous for his satirical YouTube videos. He co-founded the Free Brazil Movement in 2014, a liberal group that espouses free market values and campaigns against President Dilma Roussef. He has successfully used the internet to defend free market values.

28.Bethany Mota (Age: 19), American

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Bethany is best known for her haul videos, in which she shows her fashion purchases. This American video blogger from Los Angeles interviewed President Obama after his State of the Union address. This YouTube star was one of the select group of social media celebrities to enjoy this privilege.

27.Kendall Jenner (Age: 19), American

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Aspiring fashion model and Instagram sensation Kendall Jenner has walked the ramp for reputed brands like Chanel and Versace. She has also graced the covers of Cosmopolitan, GQ, Vogue Paris and Allure. She also has the most-liked photo in Instagram history.

26.Joshua Wong (Age: 19), Hongkonger

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Joshua was one of the core leaders of Hong Kong’s 2014 Umbrella Revolution. This student activist is the founder of Scholarism, a Hong Kong pro-democracy student activist group active in the fields of Hong Kong’s political reform, education policy and youth policy. He was ranked as one of TIME’s Most Influential Teens of 2014, and nominated for TIME’s Person of the Year 2014. Wong was also named as one of the World’s Greatest Leaders in 2015 by Fortune Magazine.

25.Zendaya (Age: 19), American

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Rising Disney star Zendaya Coleman best known for her role in the comedy Shake It Up. Zendaya returned to Disney in 2015 and began starring in the Disney Channel original series K. C. Undercover as lead character K. C. Cooper.

24.Katie Ledecky (Age: 18), American

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World-renowned swimming star and Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky holds the world record in three different freestyle events. She intends to enroll at Stanford after the 2016 Olympics.

23.Lydia Ko (Age: 18), New Zealander

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Teenage New Zealand golf star Lydia became the youngest golfer to be ranked number one in the world when she was just 17 years old. She is also known for posting Dubsmash videos to her SnapChat and Instagram.

22.Maisie Williams (Age: 18), British

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English actress Maisie Williams has achieved global stardom thanks to her portrayal of sword-wielding heroine Arya Stark in the HBO television series “Game of Thrones”. She is also appearing this year on another popular television program “Doctor Who.”

21.Tiffany Zhong (Age: 18), American

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Young entrepreneur and venture capital analyst Tiffany Zhong currently works for Binary Capital, a venture capital firm that manages more than $130 million in investments. Zhong started her career while in High School, very impressive right?

20.Kylie Jenner (Age: 18), American

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Another Jenner on the list is reality television star and model Kylie who is also one of the most watched teens in the world. This television personality has an audience of 60 million people across various social media platforms.

19.Malala Yousafzai (Age: 18), Pakistani

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This Pakistani activist for female education is the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. In October 2014, she was announced as the co-recipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle against the suppression of children and for the right of children to education. She keeps inspiring young people all around the world.

18.Olivia Hallisey (Age: 17), American

Olivia Hallisey

Olivia designed a low cost portable test for Ebola, which does not require refrigeration. She won the grand prize of the 2015 Google Science Fair.

17.Bindi Irwin (Age: 17), Australian

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Australian conservationist Bindi is the daughter of the late naturalist and Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin. She has been involved in singing, acting, game show hosting, song writing and even rapping.

16.Silentó (Age: 17), American

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Hip hop and R&B recording artist Silentó is best known for his debut hit single “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)”. He came up with this while entertaining his classmates at lunch.

15.William Turton (Age: 17), American

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While boys and girls his age struggle to write college admission essays, William jumps on tips and reports on news stories. He covers politics and hacking for The Daily Dot, a fast-growing digital media site covering Internet culture.

14.Ariel Winter (Age: 17), American

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Modern Family star Ariel Winter made national headlines this year for undergoing breast reduction surgery. This American actress, singer, model and voice actress became famous by portraying Alex Dunphy in ABC’s hit television series “Modern Family.”

13.Malia Obama (Age: 17), American

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America’s First Daughter and President Obama’s eldest daughter Malia is making headlines with her fashion choices and college visits.

12.Jaden Smith (Age: 17), American

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Karate Kid star and Will Smith’s son Jaden is making waves in the music industry. The rapper and actor released his first mixtape, “The Cool Café” in 2012. He is also a youth ambassador for Project Zambi, which provides assistance to Zambian children orphaned by AIDS.

11.Shawn Mendes (Age: 17), Canadian

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Singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes’ debut album “Handwritten” topped the Billboard 200 this year. It sold 48,000 copies in its first week.

10.Amandla Stenberg (Age: 17), American

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Amandla’s portrayal of Rue in “The Hunger Games” series earned her a Teen Choice Award. She is not only a good actress, but also a fearless critic of pop culture.

9.Martin Odegaard (Age: 16), Norwegian

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This Norwegian soccer prodigy signed with Real Madrid in January 2015 for a reported $4 million. Many soccer fans are calling him the “New Messi”! Odegaard has break several records. He is the youngest ever to make a senior team at the age of 15, on 27 August 2014.

8.Flynn McGarry (Age: 16), American

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At just 16, Flynn has won over the hearts of many people with his sensational culinary skills. This full-fledged restaurateur charges $160 per head for 14-course dinners.

7.Chloe Kim (Age: 15), American

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When elite snowboarder Chloe won gold at the super pipe event in the 2015 Winter X Games, she became the youngest person ever to win gold at an X Games winter event.

6.Jazz Jennings (Age: 15), American

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American transgender girl Jazz Jennings is a YouTube personality, LGBT rights activist and spokesmodel. She is one of the youngest transgender people and has educated the likes of Oprah Winfrey about the transgender experience.

5.Ahmed Mohamed (Age: 14), Sudanese-American

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Mohamed was arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school, when his teachers and authorities mistook it for a bomb. This kicked off national debate on racial profiling. Outpouring of support to this boy promoted President Obama to invite him to the White House; he told Mohamed that his clock was cool.

4.Ashima Shiraishi (Age: 14), American

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This strong American rock climber became the first woman climber and the youngest climber to climb a sport route with a difficulty grade of 9a+ (5.15a).

3.Rowan Blanchard (Age: 14), American

ROWAN BLANCHARD

Even though Rowan Blanchard is best known for her role as Riley Matthews on the Disney Channel series “Girl Meets World”, she is not just a pretty actress. She is also an outspoken feminist and activist.

2.Maddie Ziegler (Age: 13), American

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This American child dancer, actress and model became an international celebrity by dancing in Sia’s music videos for “Elastic Heart” and “Chandelier”. In 2012 she partnered with Starlight Children’s Foundation to help raise awareness for chronically ill youth.

1.Moziah Bridges (Age: 13), American

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Bridges started Mo’s Bows, a bow tie business, when he was just nine years old. Today he is running a $200,000 a year apparel company, which has licensing deals with reputed brands like Cole Haan.

Who among these influential teens inspires you most?

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Mahesh Baldania is an entrepreneur, blogger, learner, reader and thinker. An Computer engineer by profession. Everything I writes is inspired by life experiences and study. I am passionate about software, disruptive technology, personal development, and inspiring others. I thinks, "We only have one life, might as well live it."