2001

Children's author Verna Wilkins explains how she came to write about teenager Stephen Lawrence, murdered by racist youths in 1993.

'Talk of War against Afghanistan is just adults getting angry' say teenagers in Northern Ireland. 'Why can't adults think things through?'

Citizenship will become a compulsory part of the National Curriculum next year (2002), but pupils and teachers remain equally unsure about how the subject is to be taught. Children's Express reports on the issues from a national conference on being British.

Turning up and studying brings rich rewards to children at one Northern Ireland after-school club - like trips to Alton Towers.

Children reflect on how the attack of the World Trade Centre, and the events that have followed, have changed their view of the world.

Children's Express meets three young people determined to pursue unexpected careers when they leave school, even if friends or family have their doubts.

The new National Census allows people to classify themselves as 'mixed race' for the first time. But if your parents are of different races, how do you define your ethnicity?

Should parents introduce their children to alcohol at home - or wait until they're old enough to buy it legally for themselves?

Parents can be SO embarrassing - but usually because they're not thinking, rather than to deliberately show up their children, say reporters from Children's Express.

What role do grandparents play in modern family life? They are friends and confidantes far more than fussy old dears, say reporters from Children's Express.

It's exam time again - so should parents be on their children's back up studying, or leave them to get on with it?

Does a TV in your bedroom put paid to homework, or does it just mean equal viewing rights for the whole family? Children's Express members discuss.

Some kids have parents who will support them no matter what career they choose to chase - but others find themselves steered by their parents' own life choices and opinions.

Young people writing for The Times express very different views on whether smacking is an effective parenting tool.

Agony aunts are to give guidelines to parents on how to advise children about drugs - so what advice would children listen to?

When parents split up it can cause children enormous distress and confusion. But some young people admit it would be even worse if rowing parents stayed together for their sake.

Children discuss the very different roles their fathers play in their lives.

Young people writing for The Times say bad diets and eating disorders come down to bad, or absent, parenting.

For many children, marriage is just an outdated excuse for a party. But some still see it as an important demonstration of commitment.

Children everywhere get pocket money - but how much should it be and what should children have to pay for themselves?

Boys say they are falling behind girls at school because it's not cool or macho to study. So should teachers be making more of an effort to reach them, or is it just time for boys to pull their socks up?

Should mothers be paid to stay at home, or be out working? Young people writing for The Times discuss their different opinions.

With the general election on the horizon, young people ask whether Britain could ever have a black or Asian Prime Minister.

Computers and TV haven't yet made reading a thing of the past, say teenagers.

Her latest video has been slammed for being too sexy for her young audience. We ask: Britney Spears: Barbie doll or serious artist?

Stage schools are more popular than ever, but Children's Express reporters fear young people are being falsely beguiled by dreams of fame.

Childrens' Express reporters are open-mouthed at the amounts professional footballers get paid.

The true meaning of marriage has been lost - perhaps it was always in doubt, say young reporters from Children's Express.

In a world where apparently tone-deaf singers make obscene amounts of money, Children's Express pundits answer the question: Do you need talent to be a popstar?

Is the latest vogue for straightening hair a sign that people are uncomfortable with being black?

Nigerians are loud and study-mad, Ethopians are needy - and the rest of us need to stop thinking in stereotypes.

Recently another 13-year-old girl became pregnant - at what age do young people think it's okay to have sex?

Not content with causing controversy in the flesh, the new Eminem doll has him wielding a chainsaw. But Children's Express members are divided about whether toy shops should ban it.

Presents will be traded, and a great deal of money will be spent, but for most of the Children's Express panel, the holiday is a non-religious event.

Young people aren't getting enough exercise, but don't blame them - schools and parents should be doing more, say Children's Express members.

Can England win the World Cup? Kids have certainly got their fingers crossed...

It's hard to find children who don't like the schoolboy wizard - but isn't all the fuss getting a bit much?

Young people all agree that summer holidays should be looooong - if only there was more to do!

Teenagers argue for charity and diplomacy rather than war-mongering in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11th.

Overpaid, corrupt and un-necessary: young people don't think much of the British monarchy.

An eleven-year-old reporter reflects on how his view of the world has changed since arsonists set fire to his school.

Norway has set the example for representing children's views at the highest level - now Northern Ireland looks set to follow their example.

St Mary's College in Derry won a lottery grant to open six days a week - and it was the pupils' idea!

Ashley's schoolbag weighs 14 pounds. Nafeesa carries 22 pounds - a quarter of her body weight. Just how heavy a burden is school supposed to be?

The down-to-earth ex-footballer John Barnes charms young people with positive messages about race and identity.

Children's Express reporters return to the Belfast Festival to review 'Hymns', 'Convictions' and 'Daaali'.

Destiny's Child lead singer Beyonce's hair gets blonder with every hit - what kind of a role model is she for black teenagers?

A Children's Express reporter reviews two very different novels for young people.

Thousands of children in Britain live in foster families. But what impact does that have on the birth children of the family, who have to share their parents with strangers?

Della Hicks-Wilson reviews Verna Wilkins' book on the life and murder of Stephen Lawrence.

Young investigators name and shame the Belfast stores who flout the law by selling fireworks to under 16s.

Young reviewers defy received wisdom when they find an afternoon of classic cartoons to be violent, predictable and unfunny.

The 14 year-old from Soweto who won't let a little thing like Spina Bifida stop him from coming to Britain to try to save his school.

Internet chatrooms are an easy way for paedophiles to get online access to children. But education, not restriction, is the key to keeping young people safe, argue journalists from Children's Express.

Three teenage runaways tell Children's Express what they learned from living on the streets.

Finally local authorities are legally obliged to provide support to children leaving care. It's a major step forward - so why don't more 'looked after' children know about it?

Children's Express' Belfast bureau is so popular that members queue up to get in on a Saturday morning.

A Children's Express survey of 10 and 11-year-olds reveals that almost all have watched 12, 15 or 18 certificate videos, usually with their parents' help.

Lottery money is helping Chinese children in Northern Ireland learn vital language skills.

The farm at the centre of the foot and mouth outbreak had fed its pigs left over school dinners. Children's Express members wonder whether their school dinners are also fit only for pigs?

The cosmetics business is a multi-million pound industry. Now a Sheffield businesswoman has spotted a gap in the market. Children as young as seven can book into Pure Health & Beauty for a Little Miss Makeover. But young reporters from Children's Express aren't so sure that's a good idea.

Adult actors portray the lives of children in the middle of a real children's playground, to charming effect.

Two young reviewers report themselves 'totally hooked' by a stage production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Playground wrestling copycats are a danger to themselves and each other - but should the sport be wiped off our TV screens?

Children and young people from Northern Ireland who face violence at home are finally starting to get some recgnition and support.

In an exclusive interview, a team of Children's Express journalists find Graca Michel to be commanding but warm-hearted.

Tower blocks become art in a fantastic testimony to community creativity - even if it's all over the heads of smaller children.

A cast of children brings Shakespeare to life in a new film version of a Midsummer Night's Dream, reviewed by Children's Express.

Just what does Slim Shady's target audience really think of him - and do any of music's stars really influence young people?

The fluctuating weights of celebrities are constant tabloid newspaper fodder - but what does the battle for a finer figure say to their young, female fans?

Young reporters in care, or leaving it, press party politicians on their policies for looking after young people.

As Europe starts using its new currency, three young reporters get unexpected results when they try to buy things with Euros in London.

New Opportunities funding is dramatically extending the curriculum to pupils at one of Northern Ireland's Special schools.

The Schools Standards Minister, Jacqui Smith, gets a grilling over the government's new policy on school meals.

Teachers and pupils alike are calling for clearer guidelines and better training for teachers on how to handle violent or disruptive behaviour at school.

Children's Express reports from a conference on youth activism on young people's growing demands for increased political and social rights.

For their Sky News election series, Children's Express reporters visit the spot where ten-year-old Damilola Taylor died, and challenge the party leaders on crime policies.

For their Sky News election series, Children's Express reporters visit flood-stricken Yalding, and ask the would-be Prime Ministers how they would fight the menace of climate change.

For their Sky News election series, Children's Express reporters, meet the teenaged girl whose chatroom boyfriend turned out to be a man in his forties - and press the party leaders on making the Internet safer for children.

Children's Express members reviews W5, Belfast's newest interactive playground.

A heavy-going, complicated plot doesn't make this Japanese animation any less mind-blowing.

Children's Express reporters review two more novels for young people.

A 14-year-old activist finds himself surrounded by adults at a UN conference on children's rights in Geneva.

Cartoons and mad experiments bring science to life at the Cinemagic World Screen Festival in Belfast.

At a conference on tackling racism, young journalists find guest speaker and former soccer star John Barnes a breath of realistic fresh air.

Teen reviewers love Harry on film - but still think the books are better.

Hip-hop diva Lil' Kim's skin seems to be getting lighter by the day. Her fans aren't sure they like the new look.

The UK Youth Parliament is making a stand for young people's voices - and learning about politics the hard way.

The ignorance and stigma associated with HIV and Aids has a huge impact on children - as two young people who live with the disease tell Children's Express.

Young reviewers discuss a stage version of JRR Tolkien's fantasy adventure 'The Hobbit'.

In an open letter to both sides of the dispute outside Belfast's Holy Cross primary school, Children's Express reporters call for the children's rights to be put first.

One of the country's hidden army of young carers explains how he manages to juggle school, friends, and looking after a his disabled mother.