he Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) has said that teenagers should try veganism and go on a digital detox. The youth awards programme has today published a list of 25 experiences that young people should tick off before leaving school in order to build character, which includes trying veganism and putting down their mobile phones. It comes as new research by the charity, which surveyed 1,000 14 to 18 year olds, showed that 52 per cent of 14 to 18 year olds have never volunteered for their community, 51 per cent have never worked a part-time job and 20 per cent have never been for a walk or hike in the countryside. In turn, 72% of employers surveyed, as part of their wider research, think school leavers are not equipped with the right skills to succeed in employment. A “digital detox”, “spending time getting to know an older person” and “learning to manage your own money” are some of the more serious recommendations on the list along with jovial experiences such as “going dancing”, “dressing for yourself, not others” and “going to a festival or gig”. The charity also recommends that young people “campaign for something they believe in”, and “try vegetarianism or veganism”. The recommended experiences were formed after the DofE surveyed more than 4,000 people, including members of the public, business leaders, education professionals, parents and young people. It is hoped that the list will build teenagers confidence, independence and resilience, standing them in good stead for the workplace.