Ms Royanne McGregor:

From the perspective of a young person, much of the media reportage on Covid has been through traditional platforms such as newspapers, RTÉ and radio or television news programmes. That is not where young people are at. They are more active on social media and on their phones. We recently held a discussion in collaboration with young people and run by Jigsaw and the HSE. Many of the young people involved stated that information on Covid was not accessible to them. They were of the opinion that information was not being provided in understandable language or on a platform that they can access. That may be a source of much anxiety. Young people may not have certainty with regard to guidelines being up to date with the stages and phases. They are seeking more accessible, youth-focused and youth-targeted resources and information such that they can be informed. Many young people in care or with disabilities, for example, do not have an adult or other person whom they can ask these questions. They are responsible for understanding the message but it is difficult for them to do so if it is not focused on them or meeting them where they are at.

If it is through the newspapers or on the news that is not where young people are. If we focus on that and on delivering the information to young people in a way that is accessible to them, that will definitely help anxiety and help them manage and keep up to date and plan, which will help to reduce the distress of the experience.