The bill to ban social media for those under 16 was passed in the Senate last week. While the majority of young people opposed the ban, most adults welcomed it. I hope policymakers will focus on educating young people to manage their social media usage responsibly while encouraging adults to model this behavior effectively. Below are a few WhatsApp messages I shared with members of the Community Flower Studio (CFS) Youth Action Group. Fortunately, WhatsApp remains accessible to young people here in the Land of Oz.
‘I understand that many young people tend to get their news in bits and pieces from social media rather than following the main news channels. That’s why I want to draw your attention to a significant milestone: November 21, 2024, marked the 1,000th day of the Ukraine-Russia War. On this day, US-made long-range missiles were fired from Ukraine into Russian territories for the first time.
Is this a step toward ending the war? I’m not so sure. I spoke to my Ukrainian friend Kostya, a beekeeper turned handyman who fled the war and arrived in Sydney two and a half years ago. When I asked him about the US Senate’s approval of these weapons, his response was sobering. In a deeply saddened tone, he said, “War is bad in every sense.” His words stayed with me, reminding me of the human cost and the heavy toll of conflict, no matter the circumstances.
There is an opportunity to meet with Kostya, his wife and their teenage son and daughter on Sat 21st Dec, CFS’ End of Year Lunch. I invited Kostya’s family of 4 to join us for some traditional Ukrainian dishes at Kyiv Social – one of the 3 ‘Plate-it-Forward’ restaurants (an social enterprise by Shaun Christie-David).
This is a heavy topic, and I apologise if it stirs up difficult thoughts. However, it is an issue we need to address together as part of your growth. Here is a link with images capturing what has happened in Ukraine over the past 1,000 days—a picture truly speaks a thousand words. If this topic strikes a chord with you, feel free to DM me. I’m here to listen. I found this article ‘A Call for World Peace and Reconciliation’ by an Independent Órganization for World Peace’ insightful. With conflicts shooting up around the world, the two resources will sure help you talk to the young people, one from UNICEF; and one from Australia’s Emerging Minds.
I wonder what do the children think of the physical fights between the adults? You can hear their voices here: Poem for Peace
Betelehem (21 yr) Poem for Peace in Ethiopia
What I miss?
The day to pass without hearing a shot.
The day to pass without disturbance.
Aisha (16 Yr) Poem for Peace in Nigeria
Let’s embrace diversity,
Let differences unite.
For in unity, we find strength and light.
Fedir (10 Yr) Poem for Peace in Ukraine
But I believe that happy days will break through the pain.
The war will end, the air raids will stop forever.
For those of you who received my invitation to be my guests, to celebrate the completion of your Duke of Edinburgh Awards or equivalent and your continuous service for CFS, please RSVP soon. At this stage, six young members and 5 other members will attend the End of Year lunch.”
This is a glimpse into CFS’s Free Youth Mentoring Program. Beside one-on-one meetings (online or face-to-face), here is CFS’ online exchanges via WhatsApp.
My writing buddy, Chat-GPT, gave me some encouragement and tips on how to talk to young people. It’s pretty awesome. Some of its suggestions have already been tried. I thanked Chat-GPT for this feedback and l replied to turn it into my ‘To-do-list’ for 2025.
It sounds like you’re putting in a lot of effort to engage the group, which is great! Keep up the amazing work with CFS—it’s inspiring to see how much thought and care you put into empowering the young people in your community. 💐
However, it can feel discouraging if you’re the only one posting. Young people often engage more when they feel personally connected, empowered to contribute, or when the content directly resonates with their interests and needs. Here are some suggestions to boost engagement in your WhatsApp group:
1. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Encourage participation by asking questions that invite opinions, creativity, or experiences. For example:
- “What’s one thing that made you smile today?”
- “If we hosted a new workshop, what would you want it to be about?”
- “What’s your favourite way to relax or recharge?”
2. Create Opportunities for Input
Let them co-create activities or content. For instance:
- Host a poll to decide the next workshop topic.
- Ask for volunteers to share something they’ve created (art, music, photos).
- Invite ideas for new initiatives or group projects.
3. Recognize and Celebrate Members
Highlight achievements, big or small, to foster a sense of belonging.
- “Shout-out to [name] for leading our recent workshop—your creativity inspired us!”
- Celebrate birthdays or milestones within the group.
4. Use Visuals and Interactive Content
Young people often respond better to engaging visuals and short, snappy messages.
- Share behind-the-scenes photos or videos from events.
- Post challenges like a “flower arrangement of the week” with a prize.
- Use emojis, GIFs, or stickers to keep things fun and light.
5. Switch Up the Medium
Sometimes people hesitate to type responses but feel more comfortable using voice notes, images, or reactions. Encourage them to reply in any format they like.
6. Assign Roles or Rotate Leadership
Give members a sense of responsibility by assigning small roles, like:
- Weekly question posters.
- Event promoters.
- Content sharers (e.g., inspirational quotes, videos, or articles).
7. Plan In-Person Meet-Ups or Activities
Sometimes face-to-face interaction strengthens online engagement. Suggest a casual hangout or brainstorming session.
8. Build Trust Gradually
If the group is new or members are shy, they may need time to warm up. Consistency in your posts and a non-judgmental tone will help them feel safe to engage.
9. Share Their Voices
Highlight what they’ve shared in workshops or activities in the group chat.
- “I loved [name]’s idea from the last session—let’s explore it further!”
10. Follow Up Personally
Sometimes a direct, personal message to a member to ask for feedback or input can nudge them to participate in the group.