MINISTER of Homeland Security Roger Alexander has said the Government is taking a strong-arm approach against child pornography and warned that he expects to receive devices next week that will allow authorities to identify people accessing such material.Addressing more than 80 young people at the National Youth Forum at the Couva Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce yesterday, Alexander said: “I supposed to collect my devices next week where I will know every one of you in here...who is looking at children’s porn and exciting yourself.”Alexander did not provide further details about the devices.He made the comments while urging young people to make better choices and avoid being influenced by social media, crime and negative peer pressure. Alexander said the forum was centred on prevention and giving young people an opportunity to engage directly with the Government.“This National Youth Forum provides an important platform for youth, for young people to share their perspective and engage directly with government agencies,” he said, adding that officials had taken the time to listen to young people and respond to their questions.He said the event was not simply about adults speaking to young people, but about creating a space to hear their concerns, experiences and ideas. Alexander also urged boys to reject a life of crime, warning them about the consequences that could follow.“But a man with a number is different from you. So, men sitting in jail who had numbers, now they have an official number. A number the State will give to you, with your going and coming. When you leave, you go to court and when you return. Is that what you want for your future?” he asked.He told the young people they were the future, adding: “You cannot start your future when you’re almost at the end. You started at the beginning.”Also speaking at the event, Minister of Education Michael Dowlath told the young people their voices mattered.He said adults have to “learn the language that the young people speak before we talk to them. But I want to say that the voice of the young people, you are powerful”.Dowlath encouraged the young people to stand up and speak out against issues affecting the school system, particularly bullying, and also vaping.“A lot of what happens in terms of how you are heard depends on what you stand for,” he said.“In 2024, the Ministry of Education did a climate survey in our school system. And those are the two...most significant issues that we have that are distracting our young people from their purpose and from the kind of discipline that is required to go on to success. And so, your voice, you should say to your friend, you don’t have to do this,” he explained.He reiterated: “You don’t have to become a bully. You don’t have to vape for someone to pay attention to you.”Dowlath urged the young people to choose education and remain in school. “I want you to choose education over ignorance. I want you to stay in school.”He said the Government was also working to ensure schools were properly prepared and staffed.“Over the last year all schools were open on time. We are working with Teacher’s Service Commission to ensure that schools are well staffed. We are using the best technology with AI support for learning materials to give you the best support,” he said.He also addressed the influence of social media and peer pressure on young people, urging them to choose their friends carefully.“And I want to say to the adults in the room that peer pressure is real. And for those who are parents, when the peer pressure increases, the pressure of the parents decreases. And recently, I saw this study from Harvard University where they said that young people stop listening to their parents by the age of 13, and they pay attention more to their friends...to every young person here and those who are listening to us, choose your friends wisely,” Dowlath said.