Online tool seeks to involve youth view in policy making

Young people from across the country are being invited to share their views on key issues with the government by using a new digital ‘Involved’ Instagram platform.

The government says that the ‘Involved’ Instagram page will be a major step in engaging young people aged 13-25 around decisions made at the heart of government, by asking questions through the app’s polling and stories functions. Responses will then feed directly into live public consultations and wider policy making across government departments.

Supported by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and managed by the British Youth Council, the tool has been designed by a group of 30 young people aged between 15 and 24 set up last year to offer a youth perspective on decisions made in government.

In the coming weeks young people will be invited to respond to a range of questions on the ‘Involved’ page regarding the impact coronavirus has had on their lives. For example, young people will be asked how they feel about social distancing measures, what support they would like in accessing information about coronavirus and what extra help they feel they need during this time.

Harley Taylor, of the Youth Steering Group, said: “Young people are passionate about seeing social change in their communities and must be able to participate in the decision making of government. Involved will serve as an important opportunity to gauge young people’s views on the hot topics within government.”

Baroness Barran, Minister for Civil Society, said: “Young people often feel like it is hard to get their voices heard. Involved will give them an easy way to contribute their views on issues that matter to them, helping our decisions as Ministers to reflect these better. This commitment to involve young people’s views in policy making is part of our ambitious, long-term plan to support them to thrive as we rebuild and recover from the coronavirus outbreak.”