First summer Youth Parliament debate scheduled for 2 July

The hallowed halls of the Parliament of the Cayman Islands will echo with the voices of the next generation as they convene for the inaugural summer Youth Parliament debate.

In a press release, the Parliament said that the session “promised to be both spirited and timely”, as the Youth Parliamentarians will debate a private member’s motion that has sparked national conversation: “Limiting social media for children under the age of 16.”

The debate – set for Thursday, 2 July at 10am – stems from a private member’s motion originally moved by Deputy Speaker Pearlina McGaw-Lumsden and seconded by opposition member Roy Tatum, which successfully passed in the Parliament on 5 March 2026.

McGaw-Lumsden said, “This motion is about putting the wellbeing of our children first. Across the world, there is growing recognition that unrestricted access to social media at a young age carries real risks, from exposure of harmful content to mental health challenges.”

The debate is spearheaded by the Youth Parliament Organising Committee’s chairman and deputy leader of the opposition, Kenneth Bryan, and aims to bridge the gap between young citizens and the legislative process, providing a platform for civic engagement outside of the annual Youth Parliament Programme.

“Our youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are active stakeholders in the issues of today,” Bryan said.”By debating a motion as topical as social media usage, these young parliamentarians are tackling a global challenge within a local context.

“We expect them to debate and vote their conscience, reflecting the true diversity of thought among our youth,” Bryan added. “I am eager to hear the Youth Parliamentarians weigh in with their own lived experiences and individual viewpoints.”

The Parliament is encouraging the public to tune in to “witness the YP’s engage in parliamentary procedure, demonstrate their research, and cast their votes on this defining issue”.

The Youth Parliament provides students and young professionals across the Cayman Islands with a hands-on understanding of the democratic process, public speaking and policy development.