Tampon tax, free travel and maintenance grants lead the way for being among the biggest student-led online petitions

From free travel to free speech, there are many petitions taking off on the world wide web aiming to make a difference for young people

A call to end the controversial 'tampon tax' has, so far, gathered more than 300,000 signatures after a young student took action from her bedroom two years ago (change.org)

The online petition is rising and students all over the UK are taking advantage of this relatively new phenomenon. Tech-savvy and outraged, students are taking to the world wide web in an attempt to make a difference. From free travel to free speech, here’s a countdown of the six biggest online student petitions currently aiming to make a difference:

6) Universities should not be exempt from FoI requests

Signatures: 700+ / Goal: 1,000

As it turns out, many universities have revealed they want to be exempt from FoI requests. This includes the universities of Edinburgh and Southampton. If this were to happen, it has been claimed the move would prevent students from producing strong investigative journalism, therfore become a great challenge to hold higher education institutions to account.

5) Reinstate free speech at the University of Edinburgh

Signatures: 950+ / Goal: 1,000

Named one of the most ‘ban-happy’ universities, students at the University of Edinburgh are petitioning to reinstate free speech following various regulations such as banning students from wearing ‘offensive’ fancy dress costumes, including dressing up in a sombrero and poncho. It’s hard to see where to draw the line. The university has also put in regulations to “End Rape Culture and Lad Banter.”

4) Student nurses (and all NHS students) deserve a salary

Signatures: 8,100+ / Goal: 10,000

The junior doctors’ strike seriously brought this case out into the open. It is not just students that feel a salary is justified when they work full-time hours with no pay. Student doctors and nurses claim they provide high quality care to patients and are being ‘pushed to the brink’ financially. This online petition is not the only action students are taking in an attempt to make a difference.

3) #KeepTheGrants - Save student support maintenance grants

Signatures: 49,500+ / Goal: 50,000

It was recently established the Government ‘quickly and quietly’ cut student maintenance grants, meaning those academically gifted, but not financially stable, will be unable to get the education they need to have a better future. Outrage amongst students is a given and so are online petitions.

2) Free travel for university students in full-time education

Signatures: 71,300+ / Goal: 75,000

Students will always struggle financially, and the cost of travel is just one thing making them suffer. Not only do many students commute for hours to university because they can’t afford accommodation, but students who live in their university town still find it hard to fork out cash for everyday journeys. This petition largely focuses on students in London and it has actually gained a response from Mayor Boris Johnson who claims students already get a large number of discounts on London travel.

1) Stop Taxing Periods. Period.

Signatures: 312,900+ / Goal: 500,000

Laura Coryton is the head of this campaign. Claiming she started the petition in her bedroom two years ago, she had no idea how big it was going to be. Laura Coryton started the campaign at the age of 20 as a student in London. While this petition isn’t specifically student orientated, it really goes to show just what students are capable of. Laura sets a precedent for students wanting to make a change.