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:

• Has the growing use of social media and communications platforms amongst young people encouraged practices and attitudes that entrench poor body image? What is the link between “sexting” and body dissatisfaction?
• 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?
• In relation to young men and boys, minority ethnic groups, and those who self-identify as transgender: what are the specific challenges facing young people in these groups? How effective is existing support?
• 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.

-ENDS-

For media enquiries or to interview a member of the committee please contact:
Rhammel Afflick, Communications & Media Officer
rhammel.afflick@byc.org.uk  |  +44 (0)20 7250 8376 |  +44 (0)79 32 505 214

For inquiry related queries please contact:
bycyouthselect@parliament.uk

Notes to Editors

1. The British Youth Councilis the National Youth Council of the UK. A youth-led charity, we empower young people aged 25 and under to influence and inform the decisions that affect their lives. We support young people to get involved in their communities and democracy locally, nationally and internationally, making a difference as volunteers, campaigners, decision-makers and leaders.
2. Committee Membership is as follows: Jade-Yasmin Sides, 17, Member of Youth Parliament for Wrexham; Alizeh Abdul Rahman, 18, Member of Youth Parliament for Plymouth; Thomas Copeland, 18, Belfast; Michael Bryan, 15, Bournemouth; Samuel Pidgeon, 17, Kettering; Rebecca Moore, 17, Other Youth Reps seat, North Shields; Alex Robertson, 18, Dumbarton; Zacchaeus Richard Hayward, 14, Rhos-on-Sea; Oscar Daniel, 13, Young Mayor for Whitley Bay; Aisha Malik-Smith, 17, Welling; Emma Curran, 18, Wolverhampton
3. Media spokespeople are available on request. To organise interviews please email press@byc.org.uk
4. The British Youth Council can be found on Twitter @bycLIVE, and the UK Parliament outreach service can be found on @YourUKParl
5. For inquiry-related questions please contact the inquiry team on bycyouthselect@parliament.uk
6. Professional images of the 2017 Youth Select Committee, including individual portraits and a group shot are available to download here.
7. Written evidence should be submitted via email to bycyouthselect@parliament.uk or via post to Youth Select Committee, c/o Nehal Bradley-Depani, Clerk of the Youth Select Committee, 2nd Floor, 14 Tothill Street, SW1H 9NB. Evidence that is submitted will be published on the British Youth Council website. However, the British Youth Council do reserve the right redact evidence partially or in full should it contain information we consider to be libel. If you do not wish your name to be published then please indicate this when you submit your evidence. You will still need to provide your name and contact details as the Committee will not accept anonymous evidence but that information will not be shared online. Material already published elsewhere should not form the basis of a submission but may be referred to in the response. The Committee will not investigate or publish any individual cases of complaint/allegations.
8. Further information about how to submit evidence is available at: byc.org.uk/youthselect