Roundup: Slovenian youth parliament discusses traps of growing up

Representatives of Slovenian young people on Monday stressed that the internet and social networks were not dangerous itself, but that they could be if one did not use them properly.

This "young proposals" came as over a hundred members of the National Children's Parliament was held here, during which the traps of growing up, including the internet and social networks were debated, according to Slovenian Press Agency.

The young MPs emphasized that the internet has benefits as well, such as being a source of data and making it easy to connect with people and they requested more awareness-raising and education on internet use, especially on social networks.

Debating where to seek help when in distress, school was not necessarily the right institution, they said, adding there was a noticeable lack of trust in teachers, social workers and psychologists in schools.

The last part of the discussion on the Monday session touched on self image, with the participants agreeing that it was being shaped mostly by peers, the media and parents. Some proposed that school uniforms be reintroduced, but a majority rejected this idea.

Their findings were presented at a plenary in Parliament House featuring Prime Minister Miro Cerar.

"Don't forget that you are exceptionally important and that no one should take any decisions for you. Never give up and keep persisting," Cerar told the children.

"Adults sometimes underestimate the youth and sometimes think that we need to guide you too much and be worried about you. We should advise you and spend time with you, but you are to a great extent responsible for yourselves," he stressed.

At the outset of the session, the National Children's Parliament was addressed by President Borut Pahor and Parliamentary Speaker Milan Brglez.

The annual project is organized by the Friends of Youth Association, a voluntary and humanitarian non-profit NGO. Endit