The British Youth Council’s Youth Select Committee will officially launch its report on body image and the impact it has on the wellbeing of children and young people. Body image was chosen as a topic for the inquiry as an issue which was prioritised by thousands of young people during the 2016 Make Your Mark ballot.
The eleven committee members are aged 13-18 and include Members of the Youth Parliament, Youth Councillors, a Youth Mayor and representatives from each of the devolved nations. Their report, entitled ‘A Body Confident Future’ is being launched as part of Parliament Week, an annual festival which encourages citizens to learn about and engage with the work of the UK Parliament. The launch will be attended by Minister for Women, Anne Milton MP and former Chair of the APPG on Body Image, Jo Swinson MP, as well as the Committee’s expert witnesses.
The Committee’s key recommendations include:
- Government sponsorship of an annual ‘National Body Confidence Week’ which would be supported by all relevant departments.
- Introduction of minimum standards for social media companies in relation to content moderation, to be enforced in the forthcoming digital charter.
- Measures to improve the diversity of advertising campaigns.
- Adequate funding for schools so that pupils are supported in their wider wellbeing, including on issues related to body dissatisfaction.
- Greater focus on body image in online resources aimed at young people, teachers and parents.
Thomas Copeland, 18, Chair of the Youth Select Committee said: “The Youth Select Committee has had the chance to speak to academics, social media giants, Government officials and of course young people themselves about the real impact body image is having on the wellbeing of children and young people.
“We’ve learned that body dissatisfaction is having a detrimental effect on young people today and it is quite clear that there are long-lasting consequences for health, education and wider life outcomes. The Committee is delighted to launch the report and is eagerly anticipating the Government’s response and plan of action.”
Evidence for the Youth Select Committee’s report on body image was gathered in July from a range of expert witnesses, including high-profile bloggers, social media companies, academics, teachers and mental health professionals. Just like UK Parliament Select Committees, the Youth Select Committee heard evidence inside a Committee Room in Parliament, which is normally reserved for MPs, and their report will now be sent to the Government for an official response.
