Unicef is offering schools free resources to empower young people to learn about their rights and campaign for change. Jess Bool explains

The voices and actions of children and young people all over the world are forcing both the media and decision-makers to stop and pay attention.

Those that make up Generation Z (those born in the mid-1990s to early 2000s) have turned up in enormous numbers this year, joining a global youth-led movement demanding that we take their voices on climate change seriously and act now.

Members of Generation Alpha (anyone born after 2010) are speaking up and taking part in public debate too – whether it is about body shaming, climate change, discrimination or responsible business practices.

While they are being celebrated for their citizenship and campaigning by some, trolls and commentators have been quick to criticise as well. Online attacks can be very damaging to a young person’s sense of self, but does that mean we should stop encouraging children to use their voices?

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