Youth Select Committee calls for evidence on body image

The British Youth Council’s Youth Select Committee today (Friday 19^th May 2017) announces a new inquiry into body image. The Committee is calling for evidence from a wide range of witnesses, including organisations and interested parties, as well as young people who have been affected by body image issues.

The Youth Select Committee, now in its sixth year, is a British Youth Council initiative supported by the House of Commons. The eleven committee members are aged 14-18 and include Members of the Youth Parliament, Youth Councillors, a Youth Mayor and representatives from each of the devolved nations. Body image was one of the top ten issues voted for by almost one million young people in UK Youth Parliament’s Make Your Mark ballot in 2016.

The committee will look at issues including:

• Does the Government have a responsibility to discourage the use of social media, the internet and communications platforms in ways which promote poor body image? What should it be doing in this regard?
• Do internet companies, social media platforms or other platforms have a responsibility to tackle trends which entrench poor body image? What are they already doing in this area? What more should they be doing?
• Are particular groups of young people particularly prone to poor body image, or less likely to seek help? What causes these trends?
• To what extent is dissatisfaction with body image contributing to the increase in mental health problems amongst children and young people?

Thomas Copeland, 18, Chair of the Youth Select Committee said: “This year the Youth Select Committee will be examining Body Image. Body Image has become an issue of considerable concern for young people, so it is crucial that they are given a voice on this important subject. We are really looking forward to hearing what young people and professionals highlight as the key areas of potential policy improvement throughout the inquiry.”

The Committee’s call for evidence closes on 16^th June 2017 and the Youth Select Committee will hold oral evidence sessions in the House of Commons on 7^th and 14^th July 2017.

Find out more about the Youth Select Committee.