Watch CBS News

Oakland-Native Zendaya Named One of Time Magazine's Most Influential Teens

(CBS NEWS) – Time Magazine's list of 2015's most influential teens is a formidable one. It might include the likes of gossip magazine favorites like Kendall and Kylie Jenner, but the list is full of social activists, young scientists and entrepreneurs.

The list was female-dominated, with 19 young women and 11 young men rounding out the 30 unranked teens. Many of the teens were newsmakers this year, such as Ahmed Mohamed, who was arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school.

"The ninth grader's arrest, after teachers and authorities mistook said clock for a bomb, kicked off a national debate over racial profiling--and a outpouring of support for Mohamed, who was personally invited to the White House by President Obama (who called his clock "cool")," wrote the magazine.

Transgender activist Jazz Jennings also made the cut for bringing teen transgender issues into the mainstream when she starred in Clean & Clear commercials and a TLC show called "I Am Jazz."

Body positivity champion Zendaya was praised for turning her dreadlocks incident with Giuliana Rancic into a teaching moment, and student Olivia Hallisey was honored for inventing a new way to test for the Ebola virus that doesn't require refrigeration or electricity. Of course, Nobel prize winner Malala Yousafzai was also a shoo-in for the list for her advocacy of girls' education.

Wow. And we thought the #KylieJennerLipChallenge was intense.

- Andrea Park, CBS News

© 2015 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.