President Siljanovska-Davkova joins debate on youth violence and digital safety

President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska participated in a public discussion in Ohrid titled ‘Intergenerational Violence and Vandalism: Youth, Schools, and Digital Space.’ Organized by the Council for Youth ahead of International Youth Day, the event focused on addressing violence, vandalism, and the challenges posed by the digital environment.

The discussion centered on three primary areas: the implementation of existing school protocols, providing support for victims, and developing approaches to change the behavior of perpetrators. Additionally, participants explored potential policies to regulate social media use for children and adolescents aged 14 to 16.

President Siljanovska-Davkova emphasized that young people must be actively involved in current decision-making processes to influence the future. She warned that constant exposure to violence through media, films, and digital platforms affects how youth perceive and experience violence in real life. She also highlighted that verbal abuse, insults, and intolerance are often underestimated forms of violence that require serious institutional attention.