Students value freedom of speech more than their parents.

A new poll shows that American high school students care more about freedom of speech and the first amendment to the Constitution than U.S. adults.

The freedom of speech can be defined as the political right to communicate opinions and ideas to anyone who is willing to receive them. The concept also includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas.

The first amendment of the U.S. constitution was adopted in 1791 and has been referred by many as one of the fundamental principles that gives America its "democracy". The principle provides a constitutional basis for the protection of the freedom of speech.

The first amendment states: " Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

The surveyors of the national study interviewed 10,463 high school students and 588 teachers in total. The poll was funded by the James L. Knight foundation, The Guardian reported.

According to the poll, only 24% of high schoolers think that the first amendment goes too far while the percentage of the American adults who agree with the statement is 38%. This is the first time that American high schoolers are more in favor of freedom of speech than adults, the Guardian said.

The poll also revealed that familiarity with the freedom of speech concept had an impact on students' opinions towards the issue. People who were taking related classes, consumed digital news, and were familiar with the Edward Snowden leaks more strongly supported freedom of speech.

Nearly the half of the students weren't too familiar with the Snowden case, which ignited a huge debate over the issue of freedom of speech and freedom of the press.