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/youth 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.

Get it done now, not later 11:07am Tue 6 May 08 Well, it's Thursday evening again, and I've just started my article for this week. Most people I know tend to have an attitude of procrastination of "I'll do it later".

The perils of being party host

4:26pm Thursday 1st May 2008

Horror stories of ruthless house-trashing by teenage miscreants have understandably caused parents to be more than a little hesitant to allow their children free reign of the family home when it comes to parties.

When sport and politics clash 3:21pm Tue 22 Apr 08 The Olympic Games often suffers protests, sometimes on a large scale, but what has been happening over the past few weeks is completely unprecedented.

Family fun in front of goggle box 3:11pm Tue 22 Apr 08 With Doctor Who back on British screens, the favoured activity of families across the country has made a welcome return.

Families damaged by domestic violence

9:59am Monday 14th April 2008

About one in four women are subject to it. One in six men suffer it. One incident of it is reported to the police every minute, but on average it will have happened to someone 35 times before it is reported. Domestic violence is a massive problem.

Holidaying teens' reputation unfair

9:52am Monday 14th April 2008

With a dismal, disjointed Easter and impending examinations, it is little surprise teens are counting down to a romanticised long, hot summer ahead. For many this includes foreign holidays - without the parents.

Reader comment (1)

Using words as weapons

4:41pm Thursday 10th April 2008

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." It's a famous proverb, and is complete nonsense.

The great north-south divide

4:58pm Tuesday 8th April 2008

During a recent three-hour train ride from Durham to London King's Cross, I prepared myself for sunnier climes yet greater hostility on public transport.

Battle for school places 4:48pm Fri 4 Apr 08 Official figures have revealed that 18.4 per cent of children failed to obtain a place at their first-choice secondary school this year.

Weekends cause 'leisure sickness' 4:45pm Mon 10 Mar 08 Whatever happened to living for the weekend? After five exhausting days of early risings and monotonous routines, adults and teens alike convince themselves that Friday night onwards is more than worth waiting for.Reader comments (4)

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