Why we built this

In 6th grade, Joshua Wright was constantly forgetting things and responding slowly. Adults assumed he was being disrespectful — but he was just overwhelmed. That moment stuck with him.

Just like MSG, the food additive that was blamed for health problems for decades before science cleared its name, teenagers carry an unfair label. Most people assume the worst.

MSG Teens exists to prove them wrong — one real story at a time. We collect and share stories of teens who are making a difference, so adults can see the side of teenagers they rarely get to see.