Tag: Scottish Youth Parliament

Resources created by young people in Scotland will help make online world safer

New educational tools to help children and young people understand the risks of the online world including artificial intelligence, online bullying and misinformation have been launched.

The resources have been developed by a group of young people from across Scotland to help keep children safe online. It is part of a project called ‘Amplifying Child Safety Online’, being delivered by the NSPCC in partnership with the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP).

The work is being led by 10 young people, including Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs), who have called themselves Digital Safety Ambassadors.

They have created a set of videos, posters and an educational session plan to support children and young people and professionals who work with them, with child safety online.

To produce these tools, they led workshops with groups of young people from regions across Scotland over the past 12 months, to explore their experiences of being online and the challenges they face in staying safe.

Other topics the groups have discussed include social media and body image, grooming and talking with strangers, hate speech, scams, and keeping personal information private.

The Digital Safety Ambassadors also worked with the NSPCC’s Voice of Online Youth, a group of 14 young people aged 13-17 from across the UK, and youth engagement groups in Northern Ireland and Wales to identify common issues across the devolved nations and ensure that young people’s voices and their views about online safety are heard and considered.

They hosted an online event last November to showcase the child online safety tools they have developed. This marked an important step in connecting young people’s lived experiences with those in positions of power. With the project now available to the wider public, the co-designed materials will be used to raise awareness of the risks young people face online, and support influencing opportunities with decision-makers.  

Catriona, MSYP for Falkirk East, said: “I got involved in this project because young people are online so much and social media is such a core part of our lives, so it’s an important topic to target.

“Young people should be safe online, but this isn’t the case. The online world and social media can be a great thing, and I don’t think we should stop young people from using it, but more needs to be done by tech companies and politicians to make sure children don’t see inappropriate content.

“I hope this project can make people more aware of the issues that children face online and they are vulnerable to harm.”

Arianna Gagnon, MSYP for Clydebank and Milngavie and Digital Safety Ambassador, said: “Online safety is such an important issue because young people get exposed to inappropriate content.

“We need to be aware of risks because we’ve grown up with the digital world and it’s a significant part of our lives.

“I hope this project helps to create a safer space online for young people. We’d like to make decision makers more aware of what young people are experiencing online and to realise that online safety is a big issue. I don’t think it’s a big enough priority just now.”

Joanna Barrett, NSPCC Associate Head of Policy for the Nations, said: “Children have a right to be safe online and to have their voices heard on the issues that matter most to them. 

“This project has provided an opportunity for the young people to make their views and insights on tackling online harms and improving digital safety heard by decision-makers and those with responsibility for child safety online.

“We hope this will empower decision-makers to shape policy and practice that reflects the realities facing young people online.”

Mary-Martha Dickie, MSYP for Girlguiding Scotland and Digital Safety Ambassador, said: “I first got involved in the project because I noticed how reliant we are towards social media and the potential risks it creates.

“It’s been great to meet with a wide range of young people and work together to find out how we can enjoy the online environment whilst ensuring our safety is guaranteed.”

Nathi, Digital Safety Ambassador, said: “I got involved in this project because I saw how social media really impacts young people – it’s part of our everyday lives.

“This project has helped me to see social media in a better light and recognise some of the risks. It’s been great to use our experiences to help other people.

“Hearing young people’s views from different regions of Scotland was so interesting. I was surprised by how knowledgeable they were on so many topics such as artificial intelligence, misinformation and body image.

“Young people aren’t safe online just now, especially younger audiences. We need to make it safer so they can still access it because it’s not all bad. It can also be useful for learning and studying.”

Sonia said: “A lot of young people aren’t aware of how to stay safe online.

“I think young people’s safety online needs to be more of a priority. Children are our future and it’s our duty to keep them safe.

“I’ve learned about the importance of taking responsibility by being part of this project and the value of participation. It’s great to get the chance to have an impact and I feel very grateful for the opportunity to do such valuable work.

“I hope decision makers listen to and take us seriously and that they introduce measures to make sure children are safer online in future.”

For more information about this project visit: NSPCC Child Safety Online

Amplifying-Child-Safety-Online-Supporting-ResourcesDownload

DC Thomson family’s charitable trust donates £150,000 to support NSPCC to keep children safe online

A charitable trust, established by a family member of one of Scotland’s largest media companies, will help continue the NSPCC’s work to keep children safe online after pledging a donation of £150,000.

The Northwood Charitable Trust, which was set up by a member of the DC Thomson family in 1972, has pledged to donate £50k annually over the next three years to the children’s charity to support its campaign and research work on online safety.

DC Thomson is famous for publications such as the Beano, The Courier and the Sunday Post.

The core purpose of the Northwood Charitable Trust, which has supported the NSPCC for over a decade, is making communities better and more supportive places for people to live, work and prosper.

Their additional funding will be used for the NSPCC’s work to help protect children and young people online, including a youth-led project collaborating with the Scottish Youth Parliament which aims to ensure that young people’s voices are central to the development of a safer internet. 

The NSPCC continues to advocate for stronger protections in online gaming and digital platforms, trying to ensure children are protected from harm wherever they spend time online.

Blair Thomson, head of the Northwood Charitable Trust, said: “The Trust is proud to support the NSPCC’s pioneering work in online safety.

“In an increasingly digital world, we believe no child should ever feel unsafe or unheard. The NSPCC’s efforts give vulnerable young people a voice and safeguard the innocence every child deserves.”

Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of the NSPCC, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Northwood Charitable Trust for their continued support. This generous donation strengthens our work to keep children safe online and ensures that young people’s voices are heard where it will make the most impact.

“In a fast-changing digital world, it’s vital that we stay ahead of emerging risks and advocate for stronger protections across platforms- so that every child can explore and connect safely.

“With this support, we can continue pushing for meaningful change that protects children now and into the future.”

Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.

If you are concerned about a child you can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or email: help@NSPCC.org.uk.

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP)

Foysol Choudhury MSP, Scottish Labour Spokesperson on Culture, Europe and International Development is congratulating the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) on its 25th anniversary and recognising its important work in representing young people’s views.

Last week Foysol Choudhury attended a parliamentary reception marking the 25th anniversary of the SYP, meeting with recently elected Edinburgh MSYPs and attended the Autumn Session of the SYP, hearing the issues most important to young people today.

The Scottish Youth Parliament was formed in 1999 following the United Kingdom’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which established the right for children to have their views heard and taken seriously.

Following the autumn sitting Mr Choudhury said: “It was inspiring and humbling attending the Autumn sitting of the Scottish Youth Parliament. It was great to see the talent of our young people on show and their commitment to creating a more fair and equitable society.

“The Scottish Youth Parliament is one of our best organisations and does great work in making our young people’s voices heard through their campaigns and giving their views on the impacts of legislation on young people.

“The SYP is often ahead of politicians when it comes to their campaigns, whether that be universal music tuition in schools, banning single-use plastics or free bus travel.

“If Saturday’s sitting is anything to go by, the future of the country is in safe hands. I hope the next 25 years of the Scottish Youth Parliament are as successful and impactful as the first and they continue to push politicians to be better and represent our young people.”

Mr Choudhury wished all MSYPs well, and hopes to work with the Scottish Youth Parliament in the future on tackling racism.

Scottish Youth Parliament priorities – have your say!

All 12 – 25 year olds living in Scotland can respond to our #SYPHaveYourSay survey today!

We will then use your responses to further consult on individual policies to be included in our manifesto later this year.

Have your say here: http://bit.ly/sypyourviews

Milestone for children’s rights in Scotland

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Act commences

Children’s rights will now be at the heart of decision making in Scotland as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (Incorporation) Act comes into force. 

The UNCRC Act requires public authorities to protect children’s human rights in their decision-making when delivering functions conferred by Acts of the Scottish Parliament. It also allows for children, young people and their representatives to use the courts to enforce their rights.  

It aims to mainstream the participation of children and young people in decision making across society, with public services playing a vital role in delivering for children, young people and their communities.  

Minister for Children and Young People Natalie Don said: “This is a milestone for advancing children’s rights in Scotland, delivered by the Scottish Government. We want all young people to grow up loved, safe and respected and the UNCRC Act aims to do just that. 

“We all have a responsibility to ensure that children and young people are at the heart of decisions that affect them and that they have the confidence and skills to get involved.  

“The Scottish Government is proud that we are the first devolved UK nation to incorporate the UNCRC into law, helping to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up.” 

https://twitter.com/i/status/1813098741571985591

Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland Nicola Killean said: “Today is historic! The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is now part of Scots law, making children’s rights legally enforceable in Scotland!

“Let’s celebrate this huge milestone & thank all the children & young people who campaigned to make this possible!”

COSLA has today welcomed the incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into law in Scotland.

Ellie Craig MSYP, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament said: “I hope that the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act coming into force today sends a message to children and young people that they live in a country which aims to respect their human rights.

“Today is not an endpoint though, this is just the beginning of the next step of Scotland’s human rights journey. Scotland now moves from incorporation to implementation and this is a chance for decision makers to address the human rights issues impacting children and young people and create a culture where their rights and meaningful participation are put at the forefront of decision making.

“I’m looking forward to supporting and, where needed, challenging decision makers to stand up for the rights of all children and young people in Scotland.”

Joanna Barrett, NSPCC Associate Head of Policy for the nations, said: “Today is a momentous day for babies, children and young people in Scotland, as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is incorporated into law.

“This is a significant milestone in making sure that all children’s rights are recognised, respected and upheld.

“Among its provisions, the Convention sets out children’s right to be safe and their right to access support services to help them recover from abuse or neglect.

“Enshrining these rights in law should lead to significant changes for Scotland’s children, be it better including recognition of infants’ rights and lived experiences in the Children’s Hearing System, more protection for children from abuse online or suggest and better provision of therapeutic services for children across the country who have suffered abuse.”

I am delighted that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) will come into effect on 16th July (writes TIM FREW, CEO of YouthLink Scotland).

‘UNCRC has long been the foundation of good youth work, ensuring a children’s human rights approach. It is built into the National Youth Work Outcomes and Skills Framework. It remains at the heart of what youth workers do and the mechanism practitioners use with children and young people to hold those in power accountable for budgets, community planning, and local service provision.

‘The sector has helped drive the UNCRC journey in Scotland from training and campaigns to partnership work, policy, influencing, and working directly with young people. As we call for the growth and protection of the youth work workforce, the sector has repeated its ask for a legal right to youth work, as the most direct route to delivering all UNCRC commitments and turning the Scottish Government’s flagship policy into a reality.

‘Youth workers educate young people about their rights, including specific rights such as education, protection from harm, and leisure and recreation. Based in the heart of our local authorities and across the third sector, youth workers are keenly positioned to empower young people to become advocates for their rights and the rights of others and to campaign for change effectively.

‘Participation is embedded in the non-formal youth work approach so practitioners can ensure that young people have a voice in the decision-making processes that affect them.

“Youth workers create platforms such as youth councils, forums, and workshops to discuss their views and experiences, helping to ensure that policymakers and stakeholders hear their voices.

“Youth workers are strategically positioned to train other professionals on how to incorporate the principles of the UNCRC into their practice.’

Scottish Youth Parliament elections: Voting is OPEN

Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) elections – voting starts on Monday 6 November and closes on Sunday 19 November

21 candidates are standing in these five constituencies:

Edinburgh Central – 6 candidates

Edinburgh Northern and Leith – 3 candidates

Edinburgh Pentlands – 4 candidates

Edinburgh Southern – 4 candidates

Edinburgh Western – 4 candidates

Two candidates will be elected unopposed for Edinburgh Eastern.

Brief candidate profiles are available at: https://elections.syp.org.uk/elections/19/ (see ‘select constituency’ at the bottom of the page).

Who can vote?

All young people aged 12 (or in 1st year of secondary school) to 25 can vote in the contested constituencies. 

Voting will take place online.  Young people can vote using their Young Scot card or a temporary number at:

http://voting.young.scot

Temporary numbers have been issued to schools in the contested constituencies so young people can ask for a temporary number at school or by emailing:

sypelections@edinburgh.gov.uk

To check which Scottish Parliamentary constituency you are in, please visit https://boundaries.scot/ and enter your postcode.

What you can do

Please encourage young people you work with or are in contact with to vote for their preferred candidates.  Every vote will count so it’s essential that we give as many young people as possible the opportunity to vote.

The Scottish Youth Parliament is the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people.  Please help us to ensure that we have a good turnout in Edinburgh so that the successful candidates have a strong mandate to represent young people.

For more info visit SYP website

Make A Difference: Young people encouraged to apply to be a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament

Are you 25 or under and passionate about issues such as climate change, equality, poverty and your community?  Or do you know someone who is?  If so, then you might be interested in the forthcoming elections for the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP). 

The SYP represents Scotland’s young people and democratically elected members listen to and recognise the issues that are most important to young people, making sure their voices are heard by decision-makers.  It is a highly rewarding role that requires passion, determination and, perhaps most importantly, commitment.

All young people aged between 14 and 25 can stand for election and anyone aged between 12 to 25 is eligible to vote.

This year’s elections will be held in November and applications are open until 31 July.

Before then, interested young people can find out more and begin the application process on the SYP website which is open until 31 July.

Information sessions will be held and there is support available from the SYP and from Edinburgh’s Youth Work Team.

Beau Johnston, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Edinburgh Central, said: “I felt so well supported and was pushed out of my comfort zone constantly – but in the best possible way.

“My confidence has improved, and I have learnt many new skills. I feel grateful to have met so many inspirational people throughout this process, and to have worked with them on issues that I am so passionate about.”

Cllr Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener, for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for young people to join the Scottish Youth Parliament and make their voices heard.

“The Parliament has a proud history of delivering youth led campaigns that deliver meaningful change and have led to many improvements to the lives of young people not just here in Edinburgh but across Scotland. I would encourage anyone interested to apply and see if you can really make a difference.”

SYP by-election Northern and Leith

The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) represents Scotland’s young people.

Democratically elected members listen to and recognise the issues that are most important to young people, ensuring that their voices are heard by decision-makers.  All young people aged between 14 and 25 years old can stand for election to the SYP. 

Following on from last year’s successful SYP elections in Edinburgh, one seat remains unfilled in Northern and Leith.  SYP rules state that the vacancy should be filled.

Where a seat is vacant, it can be filled through existing youth structures.  

We are therefore asking young people involved in pupil/student councils or other youth structures such as participation groups in youth work agencies if they are interested in becoming a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Northern and Leith.

Interested young people must live, study (i.e. go to school or college) or work in the constituency.

More information on becoming an MSYP is available at https://syp.org.uk/get-involved/have-your-voice-heard/

Any interested young people can contact Andy Welsh (andrew.welsh@ea.edin.sch.uk) if they are interested by Friday 11 February. 

Full training and support is provided.

Young people’s voices to play key role in the Scottish Parliament

A renewed commitment for young people to play a key role in Scottish politics has been made today by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Youth Parliament.

The Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Alison Johnstone MSP, and the Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP), Josh Kennedy MYSP, signed the Working in Partnership agreement.

It will see both organisations working more closely together on a range of issues to increase young people’s representation and involvement in the work of the Parliament, with young people’s rights placed at the heart of the work being undertaken. 

This will include the Scottish Parliament hosting a sitting of the Scottish Youth Parliament once every two years; developing relationships between Members of both Parliaments; ensuring young people can contribute to committee inquiries and providing opportunities for both staff teams to connect with each other to identify opportunities for collaboration.

Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Alison Johnstone MSP, said:

“Young people across the world have shown what activism and having a strong voice can do. We want to harness this commitment to ensure the views of young people are better reflected within the work of the Parliament.”

Josh Kennedy MYSP, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said: “Last week the Scottish Youth Parliament welcomed 150 new Members following our 2021 elections. Throughout our elections young people highlighted the issues they want to see changed from mental health, to education, to the climate emergency.

“In signing this partnership, the Scottish Parliament and SYP are reaffirming our joint commitment to building a relationship between MSYPs, MSPs & Parliament. By supporting MSYPs and MSPs to work together we will ensure young people’s voices at the centre of decision making”

This Working in Partnership agreement signed today continues the work that started in 2018, which included a sitting of the Scottish Youth Parliament in October 2019; closer working between Scottish Parliament committees and the SYP; and an ongoing programme of training and support for SYP members to engage meaningfully in the parliamentary processes.

Scottish Youth Parliament: Edinburgh elections results

The Scottish Youth Parliament election results 2021 were announced on Monday 22 November. Eleven new Members of the SYP will now represent young people in Edinburgh.

Ten of those elected are from state schools in the city, seven are young women and three are from a Black and Minority Ethnic background.

One remaining seat, in Northern and Leith, will be contested in the new year.

Edinburgh registered the highest number of expressions of interest in Scotland from potential candidates and fielded the most candidates (26) of any local authority.

We also achieved the highest voter turnout in Edinburgh since 2015, despite many of the usual campaigning activities being curtailed because of the pandemic.

Councillor Ellie Bird, Young People’s Champion, said: “I want to commend the astonishing achievements and contributions of all 26 candidates that stood across Edinburgh in the Scottish Youth Parliament election, and warmly welcome the eleven new MSYPs into our city’s elected member family.

“The success of this year’s election is a testament to the commitment and passion of everyone involved in prioritising the voice of young people, at a time when it’s never been more important.

“Due to the restricted access to schools, youth clubs and community centres, candidates have had to rely on their own ingenuity, creativity and sheer dogged persistence to get their message, and their vote, out.

“The determination that these young people have demonstrated in standing up for what they believe in by putting themselves forward for election and to be accountable to their electorate, especially during such a challenging period for young people, is nothing short of inspirational.

“I know they all have a lot to offer their communities and the causes they care about most, and I can’t wait to see what they do next and look forward to working with Edinburgh’s newest group of elected representatives to place young people at the heart of policy and decision making.”

For more information about the election and the successful candidates, please see @edinburghMSYPs