THEY have been described as the me-generation. Today's teenagers, it is said, are so self-absorbed that they barely register anything outside of the latest fashions in clothes and music.

They have rejected politics. Their major ambition is to make enough money to fund a selfish lifestyle of consumerism.

Few generalisations are so sweeping or so accepted. But today we saw a different side to the me-generation.

The children marching out of the school gates today were doing more than protesting against war. They were saying: we are engaged in the debate, our voices should be heard.

Some parents will be shocked. They may fear that this rebellion has been prompted by a malign outside influence, or is nothing more than a clever excuse for time off school.

But that is to suggest impertinently that teenagers do not have minds of their own. Yes, there might well be an element of bandwagon-jumping by children excited by the prospect of revolt and nothing more. That same accusation could be levelled at many an adult protest, of course.

However, when you read the words of some of the children involved, you realise that the walkout is underwritten by principle.

The days when we could shield youngsters from bad news have long gone. These children have been bombarded by reports of the impending war, through newspapers, television and increasingly the Internet. Those walking out have an informed view and, without the right to vote, peaceful protest is one of the few ways to express it.

Pupil power is a growing force: just ask the Poppleton Road School children who are grilling candidates for the deputy head's job.

And when it comes to war and its consequences, this is the age-group which stands to be most affected. As Tony Blair said yesterday, the conflict "will determine the pattern of international politics for the next generation".

That next generation was having its say today.

Updated: 10:16 Wednesday, March 19, 2003