Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Participatory Research with Young People

<p dir="ltr">Participatory research projects with young people often seek to empower them through knowledge and skills development to become independent actors who can advocate for themselves. However, they usually come with ethical complexities and potential risks that require careful navigation by lead investigators. This research article delves into the perils linked to young researchers exercising their discovered ‘power’ or rather ‘agency’ against ethical principles on a sensitive topic. Against this backdrop, the article advocates for (1) the necessity of providing ethical training to young participants, (2) maintaining ongoing follow-ups to recall the key issues, and (3) ensuring that the voices of young participants are actively integrated into the exploration of research ethics alongside adult researchers.</p>