Every child has the right to participate.
Photo: UNICEF/HQ04-1027/Giacomo Pirozzi
The right to opinions
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child says that all children, and their opinions, should be respected – but they must also respect the rights and responsibilities of other people, especially their parents. They have the right to get and share accurate information, form their own beliefs, and to participate in decisions that affect them.
What the CRC says:
- You have the right to say what you think should happen when adults are making decisions that affect you, and to have your opinions taken into account.
- You have the right to get, and to share, information as long as the information is not damaging to yourself or others.
- You have the right to think and believe what you want and to practise your religion, as long as you are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Parents should guide children on these matters.
- You have the right to reliable information from the mass media. Television, radio, and newspapers should provide information that you can understand, and should not promote materials that could harm you.
Young voices in Barbados - the Junior 8 2009 team look at young people using their voices to make a change in Barbados.
Do children always get the right to their opinions?
Some children get the chance to participate in decisions that affect them and some organisations, such as the UN, are getting better at listening to children's views. But too many children still feel that their opinions are ignored. Young people are having their say about the media, and some are even making their own news reports.