‘Give us more good news!’ Children and young people send big message to Media bosses after biggest UK vote ever

By Jill Dando News

Children and young people in over 700 UK schools are urging Media bosses to report more good news after the biggest vote on the subject ever held.

Around two thirds of those aged 4 to 18 in primary and secondary schools said ‘Yes – Good News was overlooked in 2020 and they want more to inspire hope and boost mental health.

After the worst 12 months since World War 2, children and young people in over 700 schools gave their opinion on news.

A staggering 72 per cent of Primary KS1 children said ‘yes’ when asked: “Did we miss a lot of good news in 2020?”

The challenge was laid down by fast-growing UK organisation, VotesforSchools which provide weekly resources on topical issues for Primary, Secondary and Colleges created by teachers.  

VotesforSchools is passionate about hearing and sharing the voices of young people.

Lizzy Lewis of VFS said: “It was a clear result loud and clear from young people – good news was overlooked and children and young people want more.

“Increasing amounts of good news stories would be a positive outcome of the Covid19 devastation. Let 2020 be a turning point.”

One student said: “There was definitely too much negativity on the news in 2020. Good things weren’t shown enough, which I think contributed to people’s mental health deteriorating.”

Another said: “Because of so much bad news and disappointment from 2020, every piece of good news was cherished and seen as something joyous.”

Olivia, aged 16, (pictured far right) Student Editor of the Jill Dando Good News Centre at Worle Community School Academy, set up in memory of national BBC news presenter Jill Dando, said: “Hundreds of our students have been writing good news stories for several years. They help to cheer people up, think positively and to remember the world is not as bad as what is seen in the Media.”

VotesforSchools give young people the opportunity to experience regular democratic participation by:

• interesting them in, and discussing, current issues.

• getting them in the habit of regular voting.

• ensuring that their vote is having a real impact.

In some cases, VFS votes have led to change in legislation or had an impact on training and resources. 

No other organisation provides a national voting platform for young people at this scale and level of impact.

VotesforSchools do a weekly vote on a range of topics including knife crime, mental health and other issues affecting young people.

They engage young people in weekly discussions on topical issues, providing schools with evidence of SMSC, British values and Prevent.

More statistics can be found on the website https://www.votesforschools.com