Calls for the National Curriculum to include advice on how young people can avoid the dangers of social media have been made to parliamentarians by members of the Isle of Wight Youth Trust Taskforce.
Lily and Molly, part of a six-strong delegation from the taskforce, addressed members of the influential All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs during their visit to the house.
The visit followed the Youth Trust being chosen as the winner of the 2025 Impact Award by leading health and care charity The King’s Fund.
Lily (who turned 16 on the day of travel) and Molly both spoke alongside national representatives of Catch22, Off the Record Youth Counselling, Scouts, The Mix and the Sea Cadets. And they didn’t miss an opportunity to make some powerful points to lawmakers about social media and its dangers.
Paul Savill, IW Youth Trust’s Network and Information Coordinator, who organised the trip, said:
“Lily and Molly spoke about both the positives and negatives of social media. But they also made the point that unlike other dangers faced by young people there is nothing formal in place in schools to cover social media.
“Unlike road safety that is drilled into young people from an early age and where there are safety aids like pedestrian crossings, they are often sent out into the world of social media without any advice. They are not necessarily told how to behave or understand the impact of what they do or say on social media,” Paul said.
Paul said that while groups and organisations did offer advice, the taskforce felt that guidance should be built into the national school curriculum.
He added:
“We had an amazing day taking part in the discussion with MPs meeting other Young People with similar views and issues, and learning about the democratic processes and barriers to getting our Youth Voice heard.
“Travel to London in a minibus from Aspire IW was supported by Wightlink, for which we are very grateful.”
The Taskforce is open to any young person on the Island aged 11-24 and you can find out more about it on our website iowyouthtrust.co.uk.
Richard Quigley MP, who showed the taskforce around Parliament, including visits to the galleries of the House of Commons and House of Lords when both were in session, said:
“It was fantastic that young people from the IW are at the forefront of such an important conversation.
“Molly and Lily spoke with passion and authority and I know the All-Party Parliamentary Group heard what they said loud and clear.”
