Apple Inc. spent decades building a cult-like following in the education sector. From grade school, through college and into professional life, young people around the world feel a kinship with the company’s Macbooks, iPhones and iPads.

They also rally behind social responsibility causes far faster, and with more commitment, than older adults. Which is why Apple is playing with fire by not immediately and convincingly speaking with kids about the disturbing allegations in a New York Times article last week about sweatshop-like conditions at manufacturing facilities that make Apple products in China.

Granted, many middle schoolers do not read The New York Times. We still receive a hard copy at the house every day, but it wasn’t until my youngest daughter, Libby, 13, got to school Thursday that she heard about the Apple article — during a gathering of Model UN.

Thursday was the day Apple got knocked off a pedestal for Libby, who wrote the letter below and posted it on her blog. Today, she started asking me whether it was time to sell our Apple stock. All this from an eighth grader.

Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote an email to staff about the Times piece.  In the letter, a copy of which was reprinted by 9to5mac.com, the new chief executive said Apple cares about all of its employees and those involved in the supply chain.  He pointed to the Supplier Responsibility page on Apple’s web site for details on what’s happening in China and other places where Apple products are made.

It’s going to be hard work to get that message to every school kid using Apple products.

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From the “Being a Student in NYC” blog of Libby Armon, 13:

I sent a letter to Apple expressing my deep dislike for their factory in China. The letter is displayed below:

Dear Apple,

Have you ever considered having your Apple factory in the United States rather than in China?

If you relocated your factory to the US you would help create tons of jobs for Americans in a time where jobs are hard to find. Yes you would have to pay higher wages. However, I think that Apple would be benefited by the increase in respect that you would earn by relocating.

I thought that you not only designed your products in California but made them there too. In Model UN our teacher had us talk to Siri and ask her where she was manufactured or put together. Siri responded that she could not tell us and that the information we wanted was classified.

We then watched the film by the New York Times, “Made in China.” This video explained how Apple makes its products in China in a sweatshop. I know you think that it is okay to use this cheep labor because other companies might, but it isn’t.

People who buy your products do not want to know where they are getting their electronics because they know they will feel guilty. It seems your company feels shame also because you have Siri cover up for you. If you feel bad then maybe you should do the right thing and move your factory somewhere where you aren’t taking advantage of someone else.

Yes, I know you can do what you want and that Apple is more powerful than me but I can only hope you help improve your company morally. I am writing on an Apple computer right now, this shows how I do admire your craftsmanship with your products. Apple has been a key factor in positively connecting our global society. All I ask from Apple now is that you relocate your factory!

Sincerely,

Libby Armon