Scots teen probes links between social media and violence with UK Youth Parliament

A Scottish teenager is set to lead the UK Youth Parliament in an investigation into the connection between social media and youth violence. Beth MacKay, 18, who represents Banffshire and Buchan Coast, will convey the perspectives of young people in Scotland at the upcoming Youth Select Committee session at the House of Commons. The inquiry will delve into how social media platforms promote violent content, how they implement age restrictions, and the effectiveness of UK Government policies in safeguarding children from harmful online material.

The topic of investigating social media’s influence on youth violence was voted as the most pressing issue by all 300 members of the Youth Parliament. This initiative aligns with the Daily Record’s Our Kids … Our Future campaign, which advocates for tech companies to eliminate violent content involving teenagers before it spreads widely online. The Youth Select Committee was established in response to disturbing incidents wherein attacks on youngsters were recorded and circulated online, causing additional distress and shame to the victims.

Beth MacKay expressed her enthusiasm for participating in the Youth Select Committee inquiry, emphasising the significance of addressing anti-social behaviour, youth violence, and bullying, which significantly impact communities in Scotland and across the UK, with social media playing a pivotal role in these issues. Last year, the Daily Record brought to light the concerning trend of sharing violent content online driven by a quest for likes and popularity among young individuals.

The Scottish Government’s ‘Quit Fighting For Likes’ campaign was launched subsequently, aiming to prompt reflection on attitudes towards filming altercations on smartphones. Beth underscores the urgency for major social media networks to take measures to protect young people from exposure to violent acts portrayed online and calls for governmental intervention in this domain. The Youth Select Committee, comprised of individuals aged 14 to 19, convenes annually to allow young people to scrutinise and conduct inquiries on relevant topics.

In prior years, the Committee explored themes such as knife crime, cost of living challenges, and body image. This year, the Committee seeks insights from experts, youth organisations, and policymakers to comprehend how exposure to violent online content may correlate with instances of severe violence involving youths. They particularly examine incidents relating to knife crime, gun crime, and gang activities involving individuals under 18 years. The Committee also invites young victims nationwide to share their experiences with social media content depicting serious or weapon-related violence.

The Committee will hold oral evidence sessions on December 12 and 13, with the comprehensive inquiry report scheduled for publication next year. Those interested in submitting evidence can do so by emailing youthselectcommittee@parliament.uk by January 16. The Youth Select Committee underscores the importance of gathering diverse perspectives on youth violence associated with social media to shape policies that genuinely address the needs of today’s youth for lasting impact.

In summary, Beth MacKay’s leadership in investigating the interplay between social media and youth violence reflects a crucial effort to understand and address the complex challenges faced by young people in the digital age. The Youth Select Committee’s commitment to amplifying youth voices and recommending informed policy changes underscores the potential for real progress in safeguarding young individuals online.