Law Studies 12 Students Shine in 2024 Legal Essay Challenge

Congratulations to the 61 students of Law Studies 12 who took part in the Legal Essay Challenge offered by the School of Public Policy & Administration at York University and its undergraduate student association, the PPASA. This prestigious competition challenged students to craft well-reasoned legal arguments on the topic of unrestricted digital device use by children, exploring protections under the United Nations Charter of the Rights of the Child, as well as relevant facets of Canadian Law.

 

In preparation for writing their essays, students had the privilege of welcoming six esteemed law professors into the classroom. These guest speakers, hailing from Exeter, the University of Nottingham, Queen’s College Belfast, Leeds, Birmingham, and University College London, led insightful workshops on the complexities of law relating to social media, digital devices and child protection. Through these discussions, students gained a nuanced understanding of the legal implications tied to student safety, school autonomy, and the impact of technology on education.

 

Armed with this knowledge, students authored 1,000-word essays on the topic: In light of the lawsuit filed, discuss the impact of social media on student education and well-being. Propose your own solutions or strategies that schools and policymakers could adopt to address the issues caused by compulsive social media use among students.

 

The essays will be adjudicated by faculty, current students, and alumni from the School of Public Policy & Administration, who will review the submissions and nominate three winners. Best of luck to our Law Studies students as they showcase their legal knowledge and propose solutions to the pressing challenges of our digital age!

A special thank-you to Dr. McDowell and Mr. Smith of the University and Career Counselling Department for their assistance in coordinating our guest speakers.