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Parents & Carers
Parents and carers play one of the most important roles in the success of Planet Youth. We work with you to encourage your young people to be inspired by positive behaviours that will benefit them in the long-term, making them happier and healthier!
Planet Youth originated in Iceland, and over the course of twenty years and beyond has seen significant changes to the attitudes and activities of teenagers in the country.
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Watch a video about the difference it has made in Iceland here
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Evidence shows that if we want to make a real difference to young people’s health and wellbeing, we need to start by thinking about what we as adults can do to support them to make better choices earlier.
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As parents and carers we play a really important role in building nurturing environments and establishing healthy norms for our teenagers. We know that teenagers don’t make risky decisions in isolation – they are influenced by their friends, what happens at school, what they can do in their communities and, importantly, what happens at home
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Planet Youth is about listening to young people to understand more about the lives they are living and the choices they are making.
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Information is collected completely anonymously from young people in the local areas participating in Planet Youth, through a pupil survey completed at their school on an individual and private basis.
The responses are then analysed and the insights shared with the local Planet Youth leadership group (including parent representatives), to discuss how best to develop positive actions to tackle challenges and make tangible improvements for their young people, based on what they said.
Planet Youth is about prevention – that means stopping problems before they start. For example, if you learn that most of today’s teenagers in your area who report problematic drinking had their first drink when they were 13, you might decide that you don’t want your own child to drink at 13, when they reach that age.
You might also learn that for the teenagers in your area, it really matters what boundaries their parents set around alcohol, or that it’s more about what their friends parents allow them to do. This evidence can help parents to make informed and collective decisions about what the expectations will be for their children, before problems arise.
Planet Youth is about listening to young people and then empowering the adults around them to take action to keep them healthy, happy and safe.
You can learn more about how Planet Youth in Scotland will work here
What's next?
If you are a parent or carer of a young person who is about to take part in the Planet Youth survey, you may have received a letter informing you of how the survey is carried out, the process, and what this means for your young people/person taking part.
The well-being of all participants is of absolute priority. We have ensured that their well-being and safety is at the heart of this survey. If you have any concerns, please speak with one of the Planet Youth Local team or the PY Winning Scotland team . The teaching staff supporting the survey collection have undergone training and are present to answer questions and support the young people taking part.
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The areas that are taking part in will be in touch to follow-up with parents and carers about any events that they may run about Planet Youth in Scotland.
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Why is Planet Youth in Scotland important to me?We (and that includes your family, school teachers, and wider community) want to improve your quality of life, and we can only do that if we are listening to your thoughts and making plans to help make a change. It doesn’t happen overnight, but with your valuable input we can start having meaningful conversations about the changes that will make a difference to your life.
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How will I involved in Planet Youth in Scotland?If you are in a school participating in Planet Youth then you’ll be invited to take part in a detailed survey during school-time (usually a double-period lesson), along with everyone else in your year group who is willing to participate (it’s voluntary and you can opt out if you wish). You’ll complete the survey on your own, with privacy and time to think about your answers. Afterwards, listen out for opportunities, at your school or perhaps with other groups in your community, to follow up on what the survey means in terms of improvements for young people.
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What kind of questions are you asking me in the survey?We are looking to get a snapshot into your life, so we will be asking questions about how you spend your free time, relationships, substance use, and your family life. Don't forget that the answers you provide are completely anonymous, so no one will know that they are from you. We encourage you to be as honest and open as possible. The responses we get will really help to improve life for young people and the community.
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Is anyone going to know that the survey answers are from me?No one will know that the survey answers have come from you.
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Do I have to take part in the survey?We encourage everyone to take part in the survey because it is your feedback that is going to help Planet Youth in Scotland, and your local make improvements in your local area. The time and effort you put into completing the survey is really appreciated. However, it is voluntary, and if you are unsure or unhappy about taking part, you can opt out. Just speak to your teacher and they will make arrangements for you.
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If I don’t feel comfortable before, during or after the survey what do I do?Don't hesitate to reach out to your teachers! They will be fully supportive and be able to advise you. We also have some helpful websites and phone numbers below that you can use in complete confidentiality.
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What's happening about the great work already underway and the existing survey results?The approach of Planet Youth can be used alongside existing data that we have! We encourage everyone interested in Planet Youth to consider how using existing information and data can be used with the Planet Youth insights. These insights will enhance and support existing work – the data can support funding applications, supplement existing knowledge, and support changes. Planet Youth works best when it is embedded and woven within what already exists. It is not a replacement or standalone thing, that’s what makes it great!
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