On February 24th, 2022, after months of amassing troops on their border and making demands in the international arena, Russia invaded Ukraine under the orders of Vladimir Putin. The attack continues to have major consequences in the United States and around the world; stories about major attacks, the growing refugee crisis, and the response of the international community dominate the headlines.  With the headline stories from major news outlets also came a wave of misinformation […]

This Tuesday, March 8th, the world celebrated International Women’s Day with a call to “break the bias.” This 2022 theme asks people to “actively call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping each time you see it,” with the goal of creating a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.  At Youth Speak Out International, educating students about stereotypes and bias is a core part of our curriculum. We teach students how to decipher media messages, […]

Social media and the digital world are a minefield for misinformation. In the era of “fake news,” anyone can write a story or create a video and share it with millions of people around the world. Children can be a target of this misinformation, but they can also be part of the solution.  Take Finland, for example. The Nordic nation which shares a border with Russia was recently ranked Europe’s most resistant nation to fake […]

Navigating adolescence is tough. It’s easy to feel like no one understands what you’re going through, especially when the stories that we see in movies, TV, and more don’t reflect your experiences. “It just kind of makes me feel like ‘Why don’t I see anybody like me?’” said one high school student. “[It] kind of like brings your self-esteem down.”  Historically, many movies and TV shows in the United States have lacked diverse representation. For […]

It’s hard to believe it, but the holiday season is already upon us. This time of year is full of joy, giving, and opportunities to connect with those we love. And after the year that children and parents alike have endured, we could all use a little bit of cheer.  At Youth Speak Out, we’ve seen first-hand how children are craving face-to-face connection with their family and friends. In our afterschool sessions, when we ask […]