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LIVE GR: Youth Week Edition (23rd of April 7:30PM AEST)

This week, we will be celebrating Youth Week by having a special edition GR!


Young people are important, and Youth Week is a time where we recognise the unique issues affecting youth and strive to get our voices heard. We are powerful and our future matters.

 

giphy

 

Join us for a very special chat made just for us on Friday, the 23rd of April at 7:30pm AEST!
Can't wait to see you all there! 🙂

giphy

WheresMySquishy
WheresMySquishyPosted 18-04-2021 05:51 PM
 
 
 
 
 
WheresMySquishy
WheresMySquishyPosted 23-04-2021 09:21 PM

That's okay @featuringme. Welcome to this chat! 🙂

 
 
 
 
 
Onion
OnionPosted 23-04-2021 09:18 PM

How do you think young people in the future will differ from us as society changes?

I think one way young people will differ in the future will be in the knowledge that they hold resulting from further scientific discoveries and innovations (history subjects especially will have events from a longer span of time). I think the issues they face will also be different although no less easier. Hopefully though, they have even greater access to and awareness of mental health (maybe to the point where it's expected everyone has a family psychologist similar to a GP) and perhaps even have access to more effective treatments for their health all-around. 

Do you think there are common experiences young people share regardless the time and place they grow up in?

Yep definitely! I think family and friendship are both really important experiences that all young people hopefully share across time and space (it's also very ingrained throughout the animal kingdom). Another common experience that I think everyone or at least most people share is the feeling of achievement you get when you accomplish a goal (whatever that may be). 

 

 
 
 
 
 
WheresMySquishy
WheresMySquishyPosted 23-04-2021 09:20 PM

Tagging some people who are online and might be interested in this chat @featuringme @AntonyRudik @celestialdreamer @Tiny_leaf @Saltwaterdreamtime 

 
 
 
 
 
AntonyRudik
AntonyRudikPosted 23-04-2021 09:32 PM

Hi! New on this forum. For me internet is a coin with 2 sides. 
Some people can`t use it for making themselves better smarter etc. 
I think the way internet is developing now can be harmful for a future generation, especially I can say this about kids, they are usually watching fool videos on youtube and playing useless computer games instead of learning IT, sharing experience with other people, discovering some new about foreign culture and getting familiarised with new languages.
If a man is not in front of his pc and he is travelling around the world - I think he gets much more new insites than he could get in internet.. 

 
 
 
 
 
Onion
OnionPosted 23-04-2021 09:34 PM

Welcome @AntonyRudik !Smiley LOLSmiley Very Happy

 
 
 
 
 
WheresMySquishy
WheresMySquishyPosted 23-04-2021 09:15 PM

How do you think young people in the future will differ from us as society changes? Do you think there are common experiences young people share regardless the time and place they grow up in?

I think that some young people might disagree with the ways we did things. I think that a lot of people around my younger sister's age feel like people my age complain too much and exaggerate certain issues. But I think that young people will continue to be more vocal and may be more accepting of social taboos and other people's experiences. I also think there will be many changes in the spirituality and religions of young people, with a greater diversity of viewpoints. I also think it will continue to be faster for young people to certain things.
I think that many young people regardless of time and place go through struggles such as issues relating to their identity, responsibilities towards family whilst becoming their own person, forming relationships with peers (not just romantic), bullying and discrimination and finding their own resources.

 
 
 
 
 
Onion
OnionPosted 23-04-2021 09:22 PM

@WheresMySquishy this might be a bit off topic but I think that the common struggles you mentioned really shows how the human brain hasn't changed at the same pace as the advancements in technology and science.

 
 
 
 
happyandhealthy
happyandhealthyPosted 23-04-2021 07:37 PM

Okay everyone start typing away because our first question for tonight is:

 

What does it mean to be a young person in 2021?

What are some positives and negatives of being a young person?


Let's get chatting!! 🙂

 
 
 
 
 
24Kathal
24KathalPosted 23-04-2021 07:53 PM

What does it mean to be a young person in 2021?

What are some positives and negatives of being a young person?

I think to be a young person in 2021 is nothing we would have thought ten years ago. A surreal world where they are exposed to everything online from a very young age that shapes their powerful voices. Young people in 2021 face issues that they shouldn't, from fighting a pandemic, to fighting for basic rights for their planet. Even with these barriers, they face, however, a young person in 2021 is strong and learn quickly. They embrace the world and face struggles unknowingly side by side behind their screens. Young people in 2021 are people of change in a fast-paced world and want to have hope for the future. 

 

Some negatives for being a young person would include all the pressure embedded in them at a young age. From trying to live up to the perfect bodies and surreal expectations of their livelihood, it's hard to live in this modern age, especially with social media. 

Positives however include all the access young people have to make a change and the power they hold. The unity that the internet brings can be seen as a good thing for young people with a gateway for making change and spreading awareness being more available than ever. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
happyandhealthy
happyandhealthyPosted 23-04-2021 07:49 PM

I think that being a young person in 2021 is both exciting and challenging!

There are so many exciting and positive changes happening in our world:
1. LGBTQ+ awareness and support increasing
2. The Black Lives Matter movement
3. A significant increase in women's power and women's rights
(These are only three.. I could name heaps!)

I think that the technology we have access to in 2021 really allows us to share our opinions and be/feel heard. We can also start making and implementing the changes that we want to see in the world and try to help our society become more positive. Although social media can help us do this I think that it is also one of the most challenging things about being a young person in 2021! Social media allows us the opportunity to express ourselves but also puts us in an environment where we may be bullied or feel triggered by what we see when we are online. Social media is tricky to navigate at times. BUT.. I think that if everyone who uses social media treats others how they want to be treated and remains considerate when they're online, we could really start to reduce the number of young people who find social media challenging. 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Onion
OnionPosted 23-04-2021 07:53 PM

I think another thing to mention here is that psychological studies also find a lot of positives and negatives from social media depending on the duration of usage.

 
 
 
 
 
24Kathal
24KathalPosted 23-04-2021 07:58 PM

Time for another question!

 

What are the most important issues for young people? Does anything need to change? What are some ways that young people can express themselves and get their voices heard?

 

tenor-1.gif

giphy-downsized.gif

 
 
 
 
 
Lost_Space_Explorer5
Lost_Space_Explorer5Posted 23-04-2021 08:11 PM

What are the most important issues for young people?

Hmm there are a lot of issues that young people face. We're pretty fortunate here in Australia in that many (but not all) people have access to medical care and safety. But of course safety is a problem for people, in terms of having a place to stay, facing abuse, etc. And some young people aren't getting proper medical care or are managing illness/disability/etc. Other issues are things like worries about the future of the environment, getting a job, studying, inequality, fighting for rights, mental health, drugs and alcohol, suicide, body image, bullying, family, relationships, the pandemic, and so much more.

 

Does anything need to change?

I mean from that list^ yes things do need to change. We shouldn't be losing so many (well ideally any) young people to suicide. I think it's supposed to be the leading cause of death for young people. There shouldn't be so much inequality and discrimination in the world. We shouldn't have to fight so hard just to be heard. I think things are changing though, with each generation fighting for equality, freedom, peace, the environment, etc. It's kind of a one step forward one step back kind of thing but hopefully we don't stop fighting and we keep looking out for each other.

 

What are some ways that young people can express themselves and get their voices heard?

Social media is a huge outlet for young people. But there's also expressing ourselves through art, writing, standing up for what we believe in, music, and much more! We just need to listen to each other and be open

 
 
 
 
 
happyandhealthy
happyandhealthyPosted 23-04-2021 08:11 PM

What are the most important issues for young people?

1. Not feeling safe or comfortable being themselves
2. Mental health issues
3. Impact of COVID!!!

Does anything need to change?
Support and opening up conversations has definitely improved over the last few years but there is still a long way to go. I think we should really put more focus into teaching young people how to take care of their mental health in school. Even teaching children in early school years what mental health is will really help open up conversations for them as they grow up and move out into society.

What are some ways that young people can express themselves and get their voices heard?

1. Social media!! When used positively, social media can help people express themselves and find likeminded people who they can support and feel supported by.

2. Joining clubs or societies in the real world! School sports teams and university clubs can be an awesome way for young people to be able to network and express themselves!

 
 
 
 
 
24Kathal
24KathalPosted 23-04-2021 08:15 PM
I totally agree with you opening up conversation is a major aspect needing to be changed and making sure everyone is properly educated on mental health from a young age.
 
 
 
 
 
Onion
OnionPosted 23-04-2021 08:11 PM

What are the most important issues for young people?

I think one major one would be climate change and global warming although it is quite a complicated issue since it ties in many different parties from scientists to businesses to governments etc.

 

Does anything need to change?

Relating back to climate change, I think being more mindful of one's own consumption will be useful e.g. buying food that is more ethically sourced and reducing the usage of disposable utensils (paper plates etc.) or if not possible making sure that one is sorting between trash and recyclables so that we can also reduce the amount of reusable materials going to waste. Fast fashion is also a pretty big problem currently with the increasing obsession with trends that is leading many to buy clothes from sweatshops just to 'look good' in the short term.

 

What are some ways that young people can express themselves and get their voices heard?

Social media is definitely one way to express oneself and get voices heard. But I think a more effective and productive way would be to volunteer at organizations that advocate for certain issues. E.g. if a young person wants to advocate for mental health volunteering at RO and Headspace etc. can really help them gain a voice but in turn, help others as well. 

 
 
 
 
 
WheresMySquishy
WheresMySquishyPosted 23-04-2021 08:19 PM

@Onion  I learned so much from my volunteer work! It was so much more valuable than what I learned through study.

 
 
 
 
 
Lost_Space_Explorer5
Lost_Space_Explorer5Posted 23-04-2021 08:24 PM

Onto the next question! 🙂

 

If we could have an RO youth week theme/slogan what would it be and why? How would this reflect important topics for today's young people?

 

Young People GIFs | Tenor

 
 
 
 
 
WheresMySquishy
WheresMySquishyPosted 23-04-2021 08:32 PM

If we could have an RO youth week theme/slogan what would it be and why? How would this reflect important topics for today's young people?
Great question! How about Stronger Together as it reflects how our community supports each other? When we share our lived experience, we help others and make people feel less alone.

 
 
 
 
 
Lost_Space_Explorer5
Lost_Space_Explorer5Posted 23-04-2021 08:28 PM
Ooh this is an interesting question. Not sure I have enough creativity for this Smiley LOL maybe something to do with "Staying connected", or being yourself. It would reflect issues of loneliness and also coming to terms with your identity as you 'grow into an adult'- that sounded so cheesy as I said it 😐
 
 
 
 
 
RevzZ
RevzZPosted 23-04-2021 08:32 PM

"Be yourself" sounds like an awesome and simple line @Lost_Space_Explorer5 . Catchy and straight to the point. I think it also sends that extra message that you don't have to be someone else. Like telling people that you yourself is the best version of you 🙂

 
 
 
 
 
Lost_Space_Explorer5
Lost_Space_Explorer5Posted 23-04-2021 08:35 PM
Staying connected to reality is an awesome theme @Onion and thanks @RevzZ 🙂

Unfortunately I gotta go now guys I've got some uni work to catch up on but this chat has been awesome and I will try to read over the rest of it at a later time! Take care everyone and goodnight from me! 🙂 Heart
 
 
 
 
 
Onion
OnionPosted 23-04-2021 08:31 PM

That's a really good theme! It could also relate to staying connected to reality maybe? Especially with growing social media usage, I think sometimes it's easy to forget about the line between virtual friends and real friends. 

 
 
 
 
 
Onion
OnionPosted 23-04-2021 08:12 PM

Just realized the issue I proposed might be a bit too heavy for young people Smiley Indifferent

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