Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong, Malala, Obama girls named Time's 'influential teens'

Hong Kong democracy campaigner Joshua Wong, 18, made Time's annual list of most influential teenagers. -- PHOTO: AFP
Hong Kong democracy campaigner Joshua Wong, 18, made Time's annual list of most influential teenagers. -- PHOTO: AFP
Pakistani rights activist Malala Yousafzai addresses the media in Birmingham, central England on Oct 10, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

LOS ANGELES (REUTERS) - A Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, a Nobel Laureate, the daughters of US President Barack Obama, entertainers, and a girl baseball player all made Time's annual list of most influential teenagers, the magazine said on Monday.

Hong Kong democracy campaigner Joshua Wong, 18. Nobel Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai, 17, the Pakistani education activist winner; US first daughters Malia, 16, and Sasha, 13; and, Grammy-winning New Zealand singer Lorde, 17, were all on the unranked list dominated by 20 females.

Time said it compiled its list of teens by analysing their social media following, business successes and cultural importance. 29 teens in total were featured, counting accolades shared by siblings and partners.

The youngest were Sasha Obama and fellow 13-year-old Mo'ne Davis, a pitching sensation who led her Philadelphia boys' baseball team to the Little League World Series and landed a spot on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Tavi Gevinson, the 18-year-old fashion writer and founder of popular online magazine Rookie, was noted as emblematic of the contemporary teen in the Internet age, while transgender activist Jazz Jennings, 14, also made the list.

The dominant categories were athletes, actors and singers.

Actors taking centre stage were Kiernan Shipka, 14, of Mad Men, Rico Rodriguez, 16, of Modern Family and The Equalizer's Chloe Grace Moretz, 17.

Pop singers Becky G, 17, and Austin Mahone, 18, earned plaudits as did New Zealand pro golfer Lydia Ko, 17, and Afghan National Cycling Team member Salma Kakar, 17.

Teens noted for business success include 15-year-old Erik Finman, founder of the online tutoring site Botangle.com; YouTube fashion star Bethany Mota, 18, and actress-turned-stockpicker Rachel Fox, 18.

Irish trio Ciara Judge, 16, Emer Hickey, 17, and Sophie Healy-Thow, 17, were noted for their discovery of bacteria that deposits nitrogen from the atmosphere into soil.

Los Angeles teen chef Flynn McGarry, 15, joined stars of Twitter's Vine short-form video service, Nash Grier, and singer Shawn Mendes, both 16.

Jaden Smith, 16, son of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, was recognized for acting and his Twitter following, while reality TV stars the Jenner sisters Kendall, 18, and Kylie, 17, were noted for their burgeoning Hollywood and merchandising careers.

Also in the spotlight were 19-year-olds Megan Grassell, founded of the Yellowberry clothing company that makes bras for teens, and South African-Australian YouTube star and actor-musician Troye Sivan.

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