Once called the "quiet generation" by Thomas Friedman of the New York Times, this generation of millennials is now proving to be one of the loudest voices in America. But being heard is no longer the challenge; it's being taken seriously.

"This is an incredible but misunderstood generation," said Jeremy Rudy, a senior at Arizona State University who travels to various colleges and high schools speaking on the topic of the Millenials.

"People say the youth of this generation are narcissists, easily distracted and have a poor work ethic," Rudy said. "In some cases, those characteristics may be true, but we have more potential, I think, than any other generation."

Chris Sandberg, a junior at BYU and the creator of the Facebook group for BYU Libertarians, doesn't believe those characteristics are necessarily a bad thing, even if they are true.

"I could see how this generation could be called narcissistic," Sandberg said. "But that's just because they are proud of their own individual identity. And they are distracted because they are curious and want to explore and try new things. They have open minds."

Rudy defined this generation as one that is universally connected, globally aware and focused on education, both through schooling and self-education accomplished through the Internet.

Technology has made it possible for this generation to be more informed and have greater access to political groups and civic conversation than other generations. But does this involvement cross over from cyber space into the real world? Recent research suggests that it does.

A study published online by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement shows volunteer rates for persons 18-25 years old have risen at a consistent rate since 2000.

Additionally, these rising volunteer rates are joined by skyrocketing increases in voting participation.

"Online activism is underestimated," Rudy said. "You would not see these high rates of involvement without sites such as Facebook and Myspace, which work to inform and connect people."

Sandberg agreed with Rudy that online activism makes a big difference. He said the Internet has given him a way to more easily stay informed and express his opinions, even through sending e-mails to his state and local representatives.

The millennial generation is defined as all those born between 1982 and 2001. Thus the core majority of this generation will now be of voting age for the 2008 elections and will constitute 21percent of the voting population.

Political action committees are springing up everywhere online in order to tap into that voting power. One of those groups goes by the name Rock the Vote.

"What we have seen in these primaries and voting so far is that the young people are turning out in record numbers this year at the polls and making their voices heard," said Chrissy Faessen, media specialist from Rock the Vote. "They are standing up for what they believe in."