GRAND CAYMAN (GIS) – The Cayman Islands Youth Assembly (CIYA) and the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture and Lands Youth Services Unit (YSU) is holding a National Youth Forum on “Social Media & Youth” FRIDAY (30) evening.

Young persons over 15 years old, educators, youth organisations and interested community members are invited to attend the interactive event designed to exchange views on the significance of social media in the lives of youth today.

“The Forum at Mary Miller Hall, 7.30 p.m. – 8.30 p.m., will be a unique opportunity to see youth discussing and sharing their opinions on social media,” said Head of YSU Katherine Whittaker. “The topic, chosen by the CIYA, is a timely issue for everyone, but especially for teens and young adults who are so immersed in technology,” she added.

During the event, the CIYA will address the sinister side of social media, particularly: cyber-bullying, illicit image sharing, trafficking, screen-addiction and safeguarding mental health in the digital era. The Youth Assembly will also invite responses to their research. With all opinions welcomed they hope to gather a wide range of perspectives on the topic.

The Forum will feature a research presentation from CIYA President Brianna Bodden, a short video featuring CIYA members and a 30-minute panel discussion. Panellists will include psychologists with OnCourse Cayman, Dr. Colleen Brown and Dr. Alexandria Bodden; Royal Cayman Islands Police Service forensic expert Anhill Carsana, Cayman’s CARICOM, Youth Ambassadors Shantelle Young and Tayvis Walters; and two CIYA members.

An open mic session will follow the panel discussion and attendees will be encouraged to voice their opinions as individuals or on behalf of their youth association or school. Given the subject matter, the Forum will also host a live online poll. The vote will gauge attendees’ views on specific social media related questions arising from discussions at the event, and will form a crucial part of furthering the ongoing conversation about the medium’s impact on young people locally. Attendees are therefore asked to bring along their cell phones in order to participate fully.

Established by the YSU in 2008, the CIYA is a multi-schools organisation that encourages youth dialogue on civic and social issues impacting their lives and communities. Current membership is drawn from Cayman Prep and High School, the Cayman Islands Further Education College, the University College of the Cayman Islands, Hope Academy, Clifton Hunter High School and Wesleyan Christian Academy. The Unit aims to continue expanding the CIYA with a high school/college recruitment drive that will engage teachers and principals across Cayman to select their new representatives in January 2019 when the new sitting begins.

Refreshments will be on sale to support the Cayman Islands Girls Brigade.

For more details on how you can participate, please contact the Unit at 943-1127 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

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