Four young people for the National Deaf Children's Society attended the interactive Youth Forum at london cyberspace #ldncyberyouth with 21 other young people. The event was being facilitated by NSPCC.
The event gave young people an opportunity to share their hopes, ideas and wants for the future of cyberspace.  Covering topics:
*The future of Technology and Development opportunities*Economic growth and development*Child Safety
Young people spoke about the need for a web safety check  for young people. That doesn't prevent young people using social media but risk-assess what they know and supports them in keeping themselves safe. 
For many young people they felt that a safety check would prevent the need for age verification. Young people can access social media sites when they show a good understanding of safety via a set of defined questions. When young people don't they would be signposted to organisations and sites that support learning.
Lots of conversations on beginning early on safeguarding with primary school aged children.
The conference recognised that young people have a critical stake to play in cyberspace. 
For the young people we attended with the critical question remains how do you keep deaf young people safe when much of the information is inaccessible. Tips on managing privacy ha! Not if they are not subtitled. Leaving deaf young people blissfully unaware that they are sharing private and personal information.
Young people need to be empowered to understand the risks and dangers themselves. 
In summary the Byron review uses a useful analogy. You can put up danger signs all round a swimming pool but it is not a substitute for teaching a child to swim.
William Hague was certainly right when he said that everyone is responsible for Internet safety and solutions certainly sit outside Government.
The young people gave plenty of food for thought. Thanks to the NSPCC for a great two days.