UK Government Launches Instagram Youth Feedback Tool

In the UK, the government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched an Instagram-based tool running opinion polls, through which 13-25 year olds can share their views on issues relating to policy-making.

The 'Involved' Instagram page has been designed by a group of 30 young people and developed to engage this demographic in decisions made by government - asking questions through the app's polling and stories functions. Responses will then feed directly into live public consultations and wider policy-making across government departments. Involved is managed by the British Youth Council (BYC), which worked with The Mix, Youth Focus North West, Youth Focus: North East and Youth Work Unit in Yorkshire and Humber to deliver the project.

Using this feedback, the Youth Steering Group has already provided advice to ministers on issues including youth violence, volunteering, youth services and the Coronavirus outbreak. In the coming weeks, young people will be invited to respond to a range of questions on the 'Involved' page regarding how they feel about social distancing measures, what support they would like in accessing information about Coronavirus, and what extra help they feel they need during this time.

Harley Taylor of the Youth Steering Group said: 'Young people are passionate about seeing social change in their communities and must be able to participate in the decision making of government. Involved will serve as an important opportunity to gauge young people's views on the hot topics within government'.

Web sites: www.gov.uk and www.byc.org.uk .