ABC Radio host Dom Knight recently interviewed two Parramatta Marist High students as part of a new ‘Youth Summit’ segment on his ‘Afternoons’ program.
Centred on pressing issues impacting today’s youth, the innovative segment provides a platform for young voices to be heard.
Participating live from the ABC Radio studio in Parramatta Square, Year 11 students and keen debaters Anthony and Zach engaged in a thoughtful conversation covering various aspects of social media.
The discussion included the benefits and drawbacks of social media, its influence on mental health, and the appropriate age for young people to begin using it. They also debated whether social media companies truly have their users’ best interests at heart and discussed the potential effectiveness of implementing a ban on social media.
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Anthony, who moved to Sydney from the Gold Coast in 2018, said social media had provided a vital connection for him to his friends in Queensland and made the move much easier.
“The only way that I can keep in touch with some of my old friends or see what they’re doing with their lives is through social media,” Anthony said.
The students’ insights and perspectives were impressive and reflective of the broader concerns and thoughts of their generation. Their participation in such a significant media event underscored the importance of including youth voices in conversations about issues that directly affect them.
With thanks to Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese.
