Mythbusters

It depends

You can get married or register a civil partnership if your parents agree when you are 16 years old. You will need the consent of both parents if they are married. If they are not married, you will only need the consent of your mother, unless your father has parental responsibility for you. If your parent/s refuse you can ask a court to say that it is ok for you to get married.
At 18 years old you can get married even if your parents don’t agree with this. You can also register for a civil partnership without your parents agreement.

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True

You can buy a pet from the age of 16.

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False

You can buy fireworks from the age of 18.

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False

If you are 14 years old, you can work up to 25 hours per week during the summer holidays (you can’t work for more than 5 hours a day).

If you are 15 or 16 years old (and still at school), you can work up to 35 hours in any week during the school holidays.

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True

Yes, you must go even if you don’t want to. The letter that you receive asking you to be a witness is from the court and so you have to do what they ask. You can give evidence whatever age you are as long as you can understand the questions that you will be asked and can give answers that the judge and jury can understand.

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It depends

You can leave school on the last Friday of June if you are 16 by that date, or if you will turn 16 during the summer holidays before the beginning of the next school year.

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False

The role of an advocate is to present your wishes and opinions. They will listen to you and help you to put your views and wishes across. They can come with you to meetings, help you to fill in forms and to write letters. For example, some young people ask for advocates to come with them when they have review meetings. Read Martin’s Story to find out how an advocate helped him to solve a problem that he was having.

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True

At the age of 16 you can apply for your own passport without parental consent.

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False

You don’t have to be living on the street to be homeless. If you are sofa-surfing or living somewhere that is dangerous or overcrowded, then you can also be homeless.
If you are homeless, or are at risk of being homeless, you should make a homelessness application to your local council. To do this, go to the housing department of your local council and say that you want to make a homelessness application. It is helpful to take proof of identity with you as well as proof of where you used to live and proof of any wages that you earn.

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