Rights of all young people

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a binding agreement between countries to promote and uphold the rights of children. This means that all states involved in the agreement agree to keep the best interests of the child in mind when governing their country. The UN General Assembly developed the treaty in 1989. It defines a child as anyone under 18, and sets out what the rights each child should have.

All people under 18 are entitled to these rights and more under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child:

• The right to have a say about things that affect them
• The right to have ideas and say what they think
• The right to practise their religion
• The right to meet other children
• The right to get information they need
• The right to special care, education and training if needed
• The right to health care
• The right to enough food and clean water
• The right to free education
• The right to play
• The right to speak their own language
• The right to learn about and enjoy their own culture
• The right not to be used as a cheap worker
• The right not to be hurt or neglected
• The right not to be used as a soldier in wars
• The right to be protected from danger
• The right to know about their rights and responsibilities

Learn more about realising children’s and young people’s rights here.

Check out the fantastic video below from the Children’s Rights Alliance which explains children’s rights and features some of our SpunOutters.

Need more information, advice or guidance?

We offer information, advice and guidance about the issues that matter to you. Our online Youth Information Chat service is for 16 to 25 year olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm (excluding Bank Holidays).

• Chat now to a trained Youth Information Officer
• Or leave us a message and we will email you back