How does it feel to be a teenager today?
From September to December last year, S4C questioned 1266 young people from all over Wales, between the ages of 15 and 18, on every aspect of their lives, including their opinion on important issues and their day to day lives.
On Thursday, February 26, the popular presenter Huw Stephens will discover what it feels like to be a young person in Wales today, in a special programme on S4C – Dyma Fi.
Youngsters will give their opinions on various issues including social networking, selfies, apps, cosmetic surgery, religion, sex and drinking. Dyma Fi will reveal how young people in Wales feel about a range of issues – from entertaining quips to forthright and serious opinion.
Things can be quite hard for teenagers at times, according to Ffion, who is 16 and from Crymych. “Yes, we get mood swings, yes, we can be stroppy at times, but everyone goes through times like that.”
Ifan, 16, from Bala sees things slightly differently, “For me, life as a teenager is great.”
The Cwmni Da production company went to 12 schools in Wales and spoke to a substantial number of young Welsh people.
Sioned Wyn Roberts, S4C Children Commissioner said: “The programme gives a snapshot of young people’s experiences, viewpoints and attitudes in today’s Wales. We hope it will generate a discussion among young people about some of the issues that are important to them. It’s one of many S4C projects which give young people a voice and opinion.”
The Dyma Fi project is one of a number of S4C platforms for young people to share their experiences. Recently Hacio, S4C’s current affairs programme launched a new website to develop a new generation of journalists. On the website (s4c.co.uk/en/factual/hacio/) you can read discussions from three comprehensive schools in Wales, Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf, Cardiff; Ysgol Gyfun y Strade, Llanelli and Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones Amlwch, Anglesey.
The website includes interesting reviews, points of view, articles and blogs on subjects which affect pupils daily. Some of these issues include an article discussing the future of the monarchy and another about the spiralling costs of learning to drive.
S4C also hears the views of young people through the S4C ambassador project. Eight schools are part of the project, where dedicated youngsters aged 16 and 17 help promote S4C in these schools. These ambassadors write reviews, distribute posters and provide feedback about programmes, as well as having a chance to go behind-the scenes on some productions.
Dyma Fi
Thursday, February 26 at 6.35pm on S4C
