Are these child activists just puppets for the anti-gun lobby?

Puppets. Let me answer this question with a question. What life experiences have these child activists had that would give them a point of reference? None. Most don't even understand, or know, anything about the Constitution. Nor have they lived long enough to understand the difference between what a criminal does, and the tool they choose to use to commit a crime. The phrase "this generation is smarter than the others" solely based on the amount of information at their finger tips. Funny thing, that is a misnomer, just because they have the ability to look something up at their finger tips, it's another to be able to look at all information from both vantage points, and this generation only looks for information that reflects their narrative. This is called confirmation bias. It's funny because the media solely focus's on those child activists that support their own bias, but, condemn those same students when they don't conform to the medias bias. Hence, they are puppets when their herd mentality only supports one side.

They don't have the full understanding of the consequences of what they say and do. Get that prefrontal cortex fused better.
This will end up with a victim based society that can't handle larger issues.
Stop being a platform for mom and dad's agenda.

When I was a kid, 1976, I carried a gun to school.

These kids are being used by politicians who are trying to push their agenda. While some of them may feel that they are doing good, overall they are pawns. The tragedies are being used to push an agenda. More people die each year from DUI than all guns put together. More people die each year from blunt objects than all rifles and shotguns put together. This isn't about guns, it's about control. Teachers are forcing students to push this agenda. (as evidenced by other's comments) I have seen this in my sons school, and in many universities. Honestly, I fear for our republic.

Puppets? Or students who were fired at while in school and decided to do something to try and stop this from happening again.

If you're referring to the high school student protesting for gun control, then I agree. Until age 18 they do not have the right to own firearms, and for handguns in most states that age is 21. So I keep wondering are they protesting my right to own weapons or are they protesting that they don't have that right until they reach a minimum age? Either way I'm not certain they really know what they are protesting for.

The lobbyist use these young people by peer pressure and group think training. If you can convince just a few of them that a position is good and idealistic the rest will follow.

Selling cookies and candy to finance jerseys for the basketball teem, and suddenly they are flushed with enough cash to organize a rally a thousand miles from home.
But they are not puppets.
Speaking of puppets, watch your nose Pinocchio....

Unions contribute far more money to anti-gun politicians than the NRA could ever dream of contributing by several tens of magnitude. Politicians support the NRA because they respect the Constitution and the 2nd Amendment unlike the anti-gunners who hate both. And unfortunately there are many pro-gun union members who are forced to contribute to the unions.

Yes, they are puppets! Research shows that peoples' brains are not fully developed until their early 20's. Look at the photos of Hogg and see how he sometimes looks/acts like a young Hitler. Definitely angry, defiant, menacing and demagogic. And no 18 y/o is at that level of public speaking or alleged leadership. His parents have definitely coached him how to speak and show his defiant emotions.