Local Covid help group run by 15 year old...

[ChinaThwarted]

Strange one!

Our local are has created several groups to help vulnerable people in context of the COVID-19 issue. The level of interest has been great.

Our local group (who have never met, all arranged via WhatsApp / FB), has been sort of ‘taken over’ by a 15 year old. I don’t know if anyone knows of their age (I found though googling).

From a safeguarding / general ‘Should a 15 year old be leading a group of people helping vulnerable adults’ perspective... well I feel a bit uncomfortable with it.

I’m sure they’re great, passionate, and could add a lot. But being in charge? This seems inappropriate, and a risk.

My instinct is to either leave (help via another route) as I think it’s going to end in disaster, or ‘call it out’ in some way which doesn’t embarrass the teenager.

Thoughts? Can’t make my mind up. 15 year olds can be very mature, but they’re still children and lack experience.

Can you contact their parents?

I don’t see why it’s not ok, could be a 15 year old hoping to go in to nursing etc or helping the parents with volunteering

I’d contact the parents though just to check they know.

When you say they are leading, what are they actually doing? Why do you think it is a risk (any more so than if this teen was just a member of the group?)

Are they suggesting things that aren’t following best practice? Are other people not calling out bad decisions? Are they collecting money?

If not I don’t really see what the problem is.

Not sure, but my 14 year old has more common sense and better leadership skills than most adults I know. What's the group actually doing, and what do you think the risks are?

Unless you have a concern other than age, I would let the 15 year old continue. Offer him/her as much help and support as you can.

Greta Thunburg has only just turned 17 and she’s leading an international environmental movement and Malala was only 15 or 16 when she was leading a global peace movement. So passionate, driven teens can do amazing things. They should be applauded.

Less likely to be selfish, me and mine first tbh. They may be in charge, but in groups like this, decisions are usually made by consensus.
Rather than instant, negative withdrawal why not see what they can do?

Depends on her skills and does she understand safeguarding herself? Does she have the confidence to be able to cope with an adult advance\ situation meeting strangers online and putting rules in place?

Why not keep involved and intervene if you see any dubious decisions?