Voice of youth

News Shopper's first online youth editors are 17-year-old Alison Moulds, from Petts Wood, and Josh Tate, aged 15, from St Mary Cray. They will be writing regular articles for newsshopper.co.uk Their job will be to shed light on some of the main issues facing teenagers growing up in south east London and north Kent. Read their articles here - and add your comments if you want to have your say, offer some feedback or suggest a future topic for discussion.

Exam results stress

12:05pm today

The results are coming today, and the nerves that started before the exams have now reached the level where some people are pulling out their hair in exasperation.

School leavers swearing allegiance

10:58am today

FORMER attorney general Lord Goldsmith sparked controversy when he proposed that students take an oath of allegiance to the country, or the Queen, upon leaving school in order to foster a sense of civic pride.

Drink discrimination against teens 2:15pm Thu 7 Aug 08 Following his ban on consuming alcohol on public transport, London Mayor Boris Johnson has backed a new scheme that looks set to persuade local off-licences and supermarkets to prevent under-21s from purchasing alcoholic drinks, despite the fact they are legally entitled to.

Anti-smoking message could not be clearer 4:09pm Mon 14 Jul 08 With an estimated 20 per cent of teenagers smoking by the age of 15, the British Medical Association has directed recent discussions towards measures intended to dissuade youths from lighting up.

Put down your knives 3:48pm Mon 14 Jul 08 Hardly a week passes without yet another assault, attack or murder on a young person appearing on the news.Reader comment (1)

Pressures of prom night 3:12pm Mon 7 Jul 08 Throughout the early pre-teen years, school events usually remain content with the embarrassing but ubiquitous discos in dimly lit gymnasiums.Reader comment (1)

The best is yet to come? 3:26pm Mon 30 Jun 08 MOST teens are somewhat sceptical when adults proclaim that their school days were the "best of their lives".

Rights and wrongs of voting at 16 12:23pm Mon 23 Jun 08 SHOULD the voting age be lowered to 16 to give younger people the chance to have their say when elections come around? Youth editors Alison Moulds and Josh Tate share their thoughts.Reader comments (3)

Teenage girls and violent crime 11:40am Tue 17 Jun 08 Statistics from the Youth Justice Board have revealed that the past three years have seen a rise of nearly 40 per cent in violent crimes committed by under-18s.Reader comment (1)

Environmental issues: What young people think 11:23am Tue 17 Jun 08 WITH environmental issues high on the news agenda, youth editors Alison Moulds and Josh Tate give their views on going green.Reader comments (5)

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