Guest Editors: Dr Marelize Schoeman, Dr Merlyn Barkhuizen
Editor in-chief: Dr. Theo Gavrielides
About the Guest Editors: Dr Marelize Schoeman, Dr Merlyn Barkhuizen
Marelize Schoeman is a professor in the Department of Criminology and Security Science at the University of South Africa. With an academic foundation in social work, she is a strong advocate for collaborative and community engaged research and is committed to using research as a tool to inform and shape policy and practice. She is the project leader of the UNISA Engaged Scholarship project on childhood substance use and behavioural addiction
prevention and harm reduction.
Dr Merlyn Barkhuizen is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Criminology and Security Science at
the University of South Africa.
Focus
As part of the Youth Voice Journal’s Special Issues, we would like to invite you to submit theoretical and practical contributions to our forthcoming Special Issue «Childhood Substance Use, Related Disorders and Mental Health» with Guest Editors Dr Marelize Schoeman, Dr Merlyn Barkhuizen
About the Journal
The Youth Voice Journal (YVJ®) is an international, multidisciplinary, and double-blind peer-reviewed journal specialising in publishing theoretical contributions and empirical research on issues affecting young people all over the world.
The Youth Voice Journal (ISSN 2056-2969) is ranked and indexed by Scopus, ProQuest, EBSCO, British Library and The European Reference Index for the Humanities and the Social Sciences (ERIH PLUS). YVJ is also a member of COPE, ensuring we adhere to codes of conduct for journal editors. The YVJ seeks to provide a reference source for academia, policy makers and youth services internationally.
YVJ aims include:
– Create knowledge and contribute to the literature by publishing high quality research on issues affecting young people
– Establish and further develop the youth-led method for research and social policy
– Provide a platform for the intellectual exchange of ideas around the globe with the aim of influencing policies and practices
– Actively encourage and aid those young people whose voice is rarely heard by policy makers and academia to be published
Special Issue Overview
Childhood and adolescence represent critical stages of biopsychosocial development, marked by increased vulnerability to risk-taking behaviours, including the use of psychoactive substances. Adolescence, in particular, is characterised by heightened neurobiological and psychological sensitivity, linked to the ongoing development of brain regions responsible for impulse control, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Although adolescents may be cognitively aware of the risks associated with substance use, developmental immaturity in neural systems governing impulse control, combined with heightened reward sensitivity and the influence of peers, often influence decision-making toward short-term rewards, increasing the likelihood of experimentation and risk taking. Global evidence further indicates that substance use tends to increase with age, and that early initiation and sustained use are associated with a range of adverse developmental, psychosocial, educational, and health outcomes.
Globally, research and policy prioritises the treatment of substance use disorders, with comparatively less emphasis placed on prevention and harm reduction. Consequently, the majority of available data is derived from treatment populations, which capture only a subset of children affected by substance use. This approach overlooks many children who engage in substance use but do not require, or do not have access to, treatment services, particularly in marginalised communities where access remains limited. As a result, prevention and harm reduction remain comparatively underrepresented in the evidence base. Furthermore, evidence on childhood behavioural addictions, including social media use and online gaming, remains relatively limited, despite growing concern about their impact on children’s psychosocial functioning and development.
Aim of the Special Issue
The aim of this special edition is to advance knowledge by promoting a more comprehensive understanding of childhood psychoactive substance use and behavioural addictions related to social media and online behaviours. It seeks to foreground evidence-based approaches to prevention, early intervention, and harm reduction. In addition, the special edition aims to explore the intersection between substance use and mental health among children, and to critically examine emerging legal and policy responses, including ongoing global debates on the regulation of behavioural addictions
Themes and Topics
Submissions may address:
1. Epidemiology and Trends
• Prevalence and patterns of childhood substance use
• Emerging substances and behavioural addictions
2. Risk and Protective Factors
• Family, school, peer, and community influences
• Developmental pathways and vulnerability
3. Substance Use and Mental Health Nexus
• Co-occurring disorders
• Trauma, resilience, and psychosocial wellbeing
4. Prevention, Treatment and Harm Reduction
• School-based and community interventions
• Evidence-based programmes and practices
5. Technology, Media and Behavioural Addictions
• Social media, gaming, and digital dependency
• Online risks and protective strategies
6. Policy, Legislation and Governance
• Legal and policy frameworks shaping and legal and emerging responses to childhood behavioural addictions
Submission Information:
The deadline for submitting full manuscripts is 24th August 2026 to yvj@rj4allpublications.com
The intended publication date of the Special Issue will be on February 2027.
The Submission Guidelines for Youth Voice Journal can be found here.
Editorial Policy
If you wish and are interested in contributing to the YVJ, please consult our Author Guidelines and Editorial Policy outlining all the key information.
The Youth Voice Journal is published by RJ4All Publications, a branch of Restorative Justice for All (RJ4All) International Institute which is an international NGO with a mission to advance community and social cohesion, and redistribute power within society at the local, national and international levels.