Science & Technology

Do emojis make communicating easier?

06th - 13th December 2024

For our penultimate VoteTopic of the year, we asked young people what they would like to discuss in the classroom. Thank you to everyone who submitted an idea. The Voters' Choice winning topic was...emojis! More specifically, the role emojis play in communication online.

Should autoplay be switched off?

13th - 20th September 2024

For this VoteTopic, young people discussed the power of autoplay and whether it should be permanently switched off on platforms such as iPlayer, Netflix and YouTube. Although it might seem like a useful feature when watching our favourite shows, there have also been reports that it can have damaging consequences. For example, recent stories have suggested that it is fuelling issues with body image and fitness amongst young people.

Should energy drinks be banned for under-16s?

28th June - 05th July 2024

For this VoteTopic, voters explored the not-so-sweet side of energy drinks and whether they should be banned for young people, as per the Labour Party's manifesto pledge. At its heart, this topic had a bigger question, which was about choice and agency for under-18s. So long as they're armed with the relevant information to make choices about their health, should they not be allowed to decide how they spend their money? Or should their choice be restricted like it would be about alcohol or tobacco products?

Would you feel safer with an under-16s phone?

19th - 26th April 2024

For this VoteTopic, voters explored the possibility of specially-designed phones for teenagers to help improve their online safety. Throughout the wide-ranging conversations about this topic, the insights of children & young people have been largely unrepresented. That’s why this week, we are keen to hear their thoughts and opinions on smartphone usage and what the digital landscape might look like for them in the future.

Is AI-generated content too believable?

08th - 15th March 2024

Last week, voters were exploring the world of AI-generated images, audio, and video in celebration of British Science Week. They considered the increased sophistication of content created using artificial intelligence and how this is influencing everything from popular culture to politics.

Are older generations equipped to teach young people about the online world?

02nd - 09th February 2024

This VoteTopic was in celebration of Safer Internet Day on the 6th February and we asked voters to consider the “digital divide” between them and the older figures in their lives.

Do you think alien life exists?

5th - 12th Janauary 2024

To mark the beginning of the new year, voters were discussing all things extraterrestrial. They explored a range of opinions and ideas about life beyond our planet and considered the possibility that alien life exists.

Will life improve with more use of AI?

Following the exponential rise of ChatGPT, as well as the steady increase of smart technology in our daily lives, voters considered what the future may hold for artificial intelligence (AI). They explored current – and potential – uses of artificial intelligence across education, transport, art, medicine and jobs.

Will science solve the world's problems?

06th - 13th January 2023

2022 was a year of huge scientific breakthroughs and discoveries, with many also looking to science for support with the health emergency and ever-present climate change concerns. With this in mind, our voters considered whether more of our attention should be geared towards funding and finding scientific innovations and solutions in the future.