SENIOR ministers were quizzed and the use of vapes and social media among young Islanders were debated in the States Chamber yesterday.
But this was no ordinary sitting of the Assembly.
Instead, the Jersey Youth Assembly took to the floor of the House to discuss topics impacting teenagers and young people.
An initial, lively period of questions to Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan, Home Affairs Minister Mary Le Hegarat and Health Minister Tom Binet, touched on topics including drug risks for young people, the rights and conditions of migrant workers and youth crime.
Mr Jehan was put under pressure about the proposed timetable for Fort Regent to be reopened and whether the project will be finished on time, before Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham faced a period of questions without notice.
Attention then turned to two topics that have been at the forefront of the youth agenda for several years, with the members of the JYA delivering passionate, well-researched speeches on the topics.
Discussing whether vapes should be available by prescription only for those seeking to quit smoking cigarettes, several members pointed to the number of young people who vaped, and as a result became addicted to nicotine, despite having never smoked a cigarette.
Others meanwhile opposed the way vapes are marketed for young people, with bright colours and flavours.
However, some argued that banning vapes could worsen the situation, making vaping more attractive as a “restricted pleasure”.
Ultimately, the motion was supported with 14 JYA members in favour and nine voting against.
The second debate centred on whether social media should be banned for under-16s.
Online harms is a topic of conversation that is being discussed at the highest level, with a large public consultation on the use of social media and the role of service providers having recently taken place.
The main arguments in favour of social media were the crucial support network it can provide young people and the accessibility of news and political discussion. One JYA member pointed to the upcoming election and said that 16-year-olds are at voting age but without social media, would “have no idea what they are voting for”.
Others argued the dopamine hit from social media, which they added is designed to be addictive, is a bad habit, and scrolling social media is an “unhealthy form of enjoyment”.
The proposition of a social media ban for under-16s was close at 11 for, and 12 against
Deputy Bailiff Mark Temple, persiding, closed proceedings by commending the JYA’s “fantastic” and “challenging” contributions.
The JYA was relaunched last year with over 160 teenagers signed up and around 50 attending meetings on a regular basis.
Molly Gladwin, education manager at the States Greffe, said: “The JYA members take their role seriously and have worked hard to formulate excellent questions to put to government Ministers. The debate topics that members chose for today’s meeting – vaping and access to social media for under 16s – are complex and timely, and it’s testament to the young people that they aren’t at all phased by getting stuck into the same matters that are currently being tackled by elected parliaments globally.”
