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Today’s Youth Forum pilot - Article for VGT Newsletter
Friday 04 April, 2008
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) held its inaugural Today’s Youth Forum (TYF) pilot on Friday 4 April 2008 in Canberra, Australia. Twenty Canberra based people aged between 11 and 16 attended. The purpose of TYF was to hear directly from young people about their experiences of using the Internet and other mobile devices, with a particular focus on developing strategies of protecting these young people online.
The initiative follows on from the recent appointment of a Youth Advisor; the first time the AFP has directly engaged with young people for assistance and advice in conducting their functional activities.
Using a young facilitator, the TYF involved a day that was fun and interactive and that fulfilled the need of harnessing the ideas and opinions of the young people. The day combined games, icebreakers and sporting guests (Commonwealth Gold winning boxers) with discussions, sharing of stories and gaining opinions on youth Internet usage; positive and negative aspects of the Internet; and safety and reporting, including an assessment of current Internet safety campaigns. During the lunch break, a demonstration by the AFP sniffer dogs kept participants entertained.
Based on the comments received, it was a highly successful day for all involved. As a result of the TYF, the High Tech Crime Operations function of the AFP gained a wealth of ideas that will serve as guidance in prioritising our activities and in developing strategies to help keep young people safe in ways that are appropriate and relevant to them.
Ten of the TYF participants have been selected to represent Australia at the International Youth Advisory Congress (IYAC) in July later this year. The IYAC is an exceptional opportunity for law enforcement and the youth of today to work together in creating a safe online environment.
The following are testimonials from some of the TYF participants:
“The focus of the program was obviously on Internet safety, but the day was conducted in a way that focused very much on each participant’s views and opinions being heard and appreciated. Thanks for all the effort – it was a great day!” (16 year old participant)
“The forum is a great way to allow us (the children of the world) to have a say and talk with experts about Internet issues. This forum was exceptionally run and it was great to see all the adults focusing on us and letting us have a big say, rather than saying everything and having us all bored and not having a say.” (15 year old participant)
“That we, the youth have a voice and that we should use it to stand up for the things that are important like Internet safety and that people value our voice e.g. AFP.).” (14 year old participant)
“Kids can make a difference.” (11 year old participant)