On January 25 2011, a group of young protesters took to the streets of Egypt and walked toward the center of Cairo in a peaceful protest, crying out for the resignation of long-time dictator Hosni Mubarak. This revolution in Egypt has been labeled the Facebook Revolution because the rebellion was sparked and promoted through a Facebook group.

After days of protest, deaths and injuries, on Friday February 11, President Mubarak stepped down from his position and handed his power over to the military. Just 18 days of rebellion brought down what had been 30 years of persecution and despair.

The protests in Egypt came to an end and left Egypt with 360 people killed and 5500 people hurt in one of the biggest rebellions this generation has seen.

But despite the near round-the-clock coverage on several news channels, one would be surprised at how many students are not fully aware of what is going on overseas because, according to them, it’s hard enough to keep up with what’s going on in their own busy lives.

“All I know is there’s a lot of fighting, but I really have no idea,” said Matt Mrotek. “I don’t know who’s fighting or why, but I just know there’s something going on.”

McKayla Kratowicz said, “I know there was an 18-day protest against Mubarak and that it ended with him stepping down, but I think that the media is making it unclear as to what’s happening. I understand the protests and I understand kind of why, but I don’t know the motives of both parties.”

“I also think a lot of it was about media control because they literally captured journalists and tried to shut down the internet, making it hard to get a clear representation of what’s happening,” said Kratowicz.

Kratowicz, along with other students tried to keep up with what was happening, but found it difficult to follow and understand. The internet was shut down in Egypt and other countries in the Middle East.

Along with students who say they do not really keep up with the news every night, like Mrotek, there are many students who do find it important to keep up with daily events.

“I watch FOX News almost daily and I try to keep up with politics because I know a lot of young people don’t and don’t care, and I think that they should,” said Macall Biebel.

Nicholas Froland said, “I try to watch ABC World News a few times a week. It is a really good idea to educate yourself about topics here and abroad.”

Even though teenagers have their own lives and their own worries, many try to keep updated with current events because they find it is important.

Michael Ignasiak said,” It is not too difficult to stay updated if you just sit down and watch the local news for a half hour.”