Who are we?
Nearly 6 years ago, we started thinking about an alternative vision of life online for young people. The online landscape has often been about maximising engagement through cultivating strong reactions and conflict, through getting as many clicks as possible rather than focusing on quality.
VoiceBox is a platform designed to ensure that young people have a voice in what matters to them. We want young people to be heard - by their peers, by professionals and by other creators. We make this happen by creating a space for young people to publish and monetise their work, one that allows them to speak directly to those making the decisions that impact young people across the globe.
We believe that there is room online for a space that allows young people to publish their views and experiences in a thoughtful way, where content is published in collaboration with editors and checked for accuracy, and where young people are paid for their time and work.
For young people:
What content formats are accepted by VoiceBox?
We publish all kinds of content - essay style pieces, creative writing, and visual artwork are all welcome. We want your work to reflect the issues and opportunities affecting young people today, but we are open to how you want to capture this.
For more information on the topics we are interested in, please see our tips for getting accepted page.
Are creators paid?
Yes! We pay a flat rate of £20 for every piece we publish. Payments are made almost exclusively through PayPal. If you are a resident of the UK, we may be able to send the payment via a bank transfer if that’s preferred.
Who can make content for VoiceBox?
We welcome creators from around the world between the ages of 13 and 25.
How do I submit content for VoiceBox?
You can submit to us through creating an account. Click here to learn more.
What are the benefits of making content for VoiceBox?
There are lots of benefits to sharing your work with us! You get to showcase your work for a global audience, ensure your voice is heard in the topics that matter for you, and be paid for your time.
Having content published can also be really useful to add to your CV or university application, and we are always happy to write recommendation letters on request if needed.
What can I make content about?
We are looking for content on topics that you feel are important to young people today, whether this is something that you have experienced yourself or that you’re seeing in your wider community. Content on issues relating to tech, mental health and youth culture are all of interest to us.
We have some specific guidelines on the type of content we’re looking for which you can find here.
Will my content be edited?
VoiceBox is about amplifying your voice, and we want to ensure this is preserved in anything we publish. However, we have a responsibility to make sure that all content is factual and clear. Before being published, all content will undergo a fact-check and some light spelling and/or grammar changes if needed. We will double check that you are happy with any edit we make before publishing.
How long will it take for my content to be published?
The length of time it takes for your piece to appear on the site depends on a few factors, including the amount of submissions we have received from other young people.
We are a small and busy team and we try to have pieces published as soon as possible. Depending on the volume of content we have, this could take up to two months. You can check the status of your piece at any time by visiting your account page.
Can I submit my content elsewhere if VoiceBox publishes it?
No. We pay for the content that we publish, so we reserve the rights to it.
What happens if VoiceBox turns down my submission?
If we don’t accept your piece, you still own the rights to it and are free to submit it elsewhere. You are welcome to resubmit after making changes or if you have another piece you think we might be interested in.
Do I have to put my real name on VoiceBox?
We do require your real name for your VoiceBox account, but this information is private and will not be shared with anyone. You are welcome to use a pseudonym for your public facing account profile, which is attached to each piece you publish with us.
Is VoiceBox non-biased?
Yes, we welcome differing views and opinions. However, we will not accept hate speech, sexually explicit content, or content that we feel promotes harmful behaviour. You can find more information on our content restrictions here.
All views contained in pieces that we publish belong to the creators and do not necessarily reflect the views of VoiceBox, affiliates or our partners.
I need help with my account
For any troubleshooting questions, please contact info@voicebox.site.
For Professionals:
I’m a professional from a school/youth club, and I want my young people to submit content. What is your safeguarding procedure?
We take safeguarding very seriously and have a policy in place to ensure that children and vulnerable young adults get the support they need. Our director and partnerships lead both have NSPCC-accredited training, and all of our UK team members are DBS checked. If you have any further questions about safeguarding, please email us via info@voicebox.site.
Can I commission content from VoiceBox for my organisation?
Yes. A large part of our work involves linking our content creators with organisations who have an interest in tech, mental health or youth culture. Whether you’re looking for a focus group, a specific piece of content or want to talk with our youth ambassadors, we have a wide variety of options to ensure your organisation is able to incorporate a youth perspective.
You can read more about our previous commissions here.
Do you offer training sessions for professionals?
Yes. We provide training on a variety of topics affecting young people today. You can read more about these here.
I have a question that’s not answered here.
Please contact us here. We’re happy to answer any other questions you might have!