The rights of children and adolescents
During adolescence, you gradually become more independent, you start taking care on your own, certain matters regarding your everyday life, while you acquire habits and knowledge that will follow you throughout the rest of your life. Just like everyone else, you too, as an adolescent, have rights and it is really important that you acknowledge and claim them. Some of them are your right to good health, both physical and mental, to food, to housing, to education, to welfare, to information as well as your right to protect your personal information and privacy.
According to World Health Organization, in health facilities you have the right to confidentiality and support from trained and “friendly” personnel. You also have the right to being accepted regardless of your nationality, sex, physical appearance, religion and sexual orientation. Moreover, it is among your rights to be informed on your health status and the methods of treatment to be followed in case of illness.
It is also important to know that you have rights as an adolescent consumer as well. Most stores in Greece and abroad have pages for online shopping. This is the so called e-commerce, which besides other properties, is also associated with the promotion and sale of goods. However this is not always as simple or innocent as it seems. Sometimes these online business actions do not respect children’s rights and use aggressive and misguiding tactics that violate your rights. For instance, you may submit your personal details in order to participate in a contest and be found registered in some sort of subscription service. It is also very important to be careful and avoid making any online purchase before discussing it first with an adult that you trust.
Finally, be reminded that nobody has the right to threaten, insult or treat you in a violent way that jeopardizes your physical integrity.
Remember that as an adolescent you have rights… protect them.
In collaboration with:Vassiliki Dimitrakopoulou
Psychologist, Scientific Associate of the Greek Society of Adolescent Medicine
Niki Daliana
Career Councillor, Scientific Associate of the Greek Society of Adolescent Medicine
