7.2.2. reducing socio-economic inequalities and making the fight against extreme child poverty a priority;

7.2.3. empowering young people and including them in decision-making processes, taking their concerns seriously, including on issues such as the environment and racial discrimination, where young people are the stakeholders for the future;

7.2.4. taking measures to tackle young people’s financial and employment insecurity;

7.2.5. encouraging employers to ensure appropriate work-life balance, leaving employees, including young people, with enough flexibility and time to rest and pursue other interests;

7.2.6. taking measures to protect children and young people from being exposed to inappropriate and harmful content on social media;

7.3. take the necessary precautions to protect the mental health of children, adolescents and young adults in the event of a public health emergency or confinement period by:

7.3.1. keeping educational facilities open and functional for as long as this is possible, while taking into account the importance of protecting the population;

7.3.2. facilitating equitable access to necessary equipment and materials for at-home learning, in the event that the continuous operation of educational facilities is no longer feasible;

7.3.3. ensuring tailored follow-up and support to young persons with a history of mental health needs;

7.3.4. ensuring that all measures taken to tackle the public health emergency are transparent, proportionate, and in line with the best interests of the child;

7.3.5. consulting children and young adults with regard to any decision that may affect their rights, mental health and well-being;

7.3.6. disseminating information specifically targeted to a younger audience, as seen in the good practice example of Norway.

8. The Assembly believes that parliaments have a responsibility to ensure that children’s and youngpeople’s voices are listened to and incorporated into legislative processes, in order to promote a moreinclusive and representative democracy. By creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration in parliaments, weas parliamentarians, can foster an environment where children and young people feel valued and understood,and can effect change. As such, the Assembly recommends that parliaments within the Council of Europemember States frequently invite children and young people to parliamentary hearings, get to know their pointof view on matters that affect them and empower them in policy-making processes.

II SÉRIE-D — NÚMERO 18 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

154