National Youth Parliamentarians Prepare to Debate Solutions to Cyberbullying

In preparation for the upcoming 22nd National Youth Parliament, 35 youth delegates from across Trinidad and Tobago received a suite of UN-facilitated training to understand the challenge of cyberbullying and formulate policy responses to mitigate its effects. 

With coordination support from the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator, experts from UN Women Multi-Country Office (Caribbean), UNFPA Caribbean, UNICEF Eastern Caribbean and UNESCO Caribbean explored the different forms of online harassment, including cyberbullying technology facilitated gender-based violence, doxxing, catfishing and revenge porn. Impacts on mental health and social cohesion were also discussed, with a particular focus on how these effects differ across genders and age groups. 

This in-person training held on Thursday, November 6 followed a virtual training session where UNODC laid a foundation on the signature characteristics of cyberbullying. UNODC also outlined the importance of international cooperation between UN Member States to hold perpetrators accountable, as evidenced by the recent adoption of the UN Convention on Cyberbullying in October 2025. In that virtual session, National Youth Parliamentarians also benefitted from UNICEF's presentation on the mental health effects of cyberbullying and learned about the Young Caribbean Minds digital mental health hub for Caribbean youth.

Delegates learned how harmful content and online threats can perpetuate discrimination, limit self-expression, and cause lasting psychological harm.

The partnership with the National Youth Parliament is part of the United Nations’ ongoing commitment to empowering youth to address emerging social challenges in the digital age.

Discussions also examined the role of social media platforms, online gaming spaces and digital communities in shaping online behaviour. Facilitators encouraged delegates to look critically at how technology can both connect and harm, and how young people can take the lead in promoting safer, more inclusive digital environments. Another important element of that discussion was the link between the online and offline spaces and how violence can flow between the two, indicating the importance effective prevention programmes that provide protections in both the digital and real-world environments.

This year’s Youth Parliament motion, titled “Mitigating the Effects of Cyberbullying,” calls on the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to enact legislation and implement policies informed by data to address this growing issue. The motion recognises the profound impacts of cyberbullying, including anxiety, depression, and social isolation to, in severe cases, self-harm or suicide. Morover, it urges stronger protection for victims alongside prevention measures.

Delegates will debate how to punish perpetrators, protect victims, and prevent further incidents, with a focus on upholding citizens’ rights to life, liberty, security, and privacy in online spaces.

The partnership between the United Nations and the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago provided both financial and technical support to the National Youth Parliament, as part of the UN’s global Youth 2030 Strategy. This Strategy commits the UN to supporting youth-led platforms that empower young people to shape national discourse and policy-making and which build the capacities of young people to advocate for a better, more sustainable future. 

By engaging youth in national decision-making processes like the Youth Parliament, the UN system in Trinidad and Tobago continues to champion the participation of young people in shaping a safer, and more inclusive digital future.

This article was written by Communications Assistant Intern at the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator, Elias Dunbakli.