Is the Tail Wagging the Dog?

Have adults relinquished their authority in making rules and regulations and enforcing them? In other words, is the tail wagging the dog? A good example of why the headline has some relevance is the recent horrendous event in Parkland, Florida at the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas H.S., when a crazed former student, Nikolas Cruz, killed 17 innocent students and teachers, and in the aftermath of that terrible event, some outspoken students, ranging in age from 14 to 17, have become media darlings as they ranted against guns, in general, and the NRA, in particular. Of course, anyone, including students, have a right to express themselves, but should their emotional appeals be the driving force behind a change of public policy? Do they have the knowledge and experience, at that young age, to have that authority to be the final arbiter in making those changes in policy?