'Invest in youth services': Shropshire charity's call after under-16 social media ban confirmed

The Government's proposed ban on social media for under-16s must be matched by long-term investment in youth services, a Shropshire-based youth charity said today.

All About Youth, which supports young people across Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, has welcomed wider debate around children's wellbeing and online safety, but said the focus must now turn to creating more opportunities for young people away from screens.

The charity believes youth clubs, activities and community-based provision have a vital role to play in helping young people build confidence, form positive relationships and develop the skills they need to thrive.

Richard Parkes, chief executive of All About Youth, said: “The debate around social media has highlighted something many youth organisations have known for years - young people need safe spaces, trusted adults and meaningful activities in their communities.

“Whether the proposed ban proves successful or not, there is a huge opportunity to invest in the alternatives.

“If we want young people to spend more time connecting face to face, developing skills and building positive relationships, we need to make sure those opportunities exist and are accessible.”

Mr Parkes said the charity hoped the Government's focus on childhood wellbeing would translate into stronger support for youth services.

“For too long, many youth organisations have been expected to do more with less,” he said.

“Across the country, charities are delivering life-changing work while operating on short-term funding and uncertain budgets.

“In many cases, youth workers do not know how long their contracts will continue, while young people need consistent support they can rely on week after week and year after year.

“If we are serious about improving outcomes for young people, then youth provision cannot continue to operate on a shoestring.”

The charity is also calling for stronger partnerships between youth organisations, local authorities, schools and community partners to help meet growing demand.

Mr Parkes said: “We are seeing increasing recognition of the role youth work can play in supporting young people, and that is hugely encouraging.

“By strengthening partnerships with local authorities and other organisations, we can ensure youth services are ready to meet that demand and deliver even greater impact.

“At All About Youth, we are doing everything we can to position ourselves to support that next step change in youth provision. We want to be part of the solution.

“We have recently become the first and only youth organisation in the Midlands to achieve the National Youth Agency Quality Mark, recognising the quality of our youth work and our commitment to young people.

“But delivering the next generation of youth work requires more than ambition. It requires sustained investment, long-term thinking and a commitment to ensuring every young person has access to the support they need.”