According to david elkind, teenagers question society's rules and become involved in idealistic causes because:

Teenagers question society’s rules and they get involved in idealistic cause because argues that when children make the transition to formal operational through at about age 12, they can see underneath the surface of adult guidelines. He believes when children first become in agreement to other people’s faults, this feeling goes innermost to become an fascination with what others consider about their own personal faults. Imaginary audience is the tenure for the affinity of young teenagers to feel that every person is viewing their action; a constituent of adolescent egocentrism. Personal fable is the tenure for the affinity of young teenagers to believe that their existence is distinctive and heroic; a constituent of adolescent egocentrism.