Born into a digital world, young people are embracing the opportunities that technology brings, including access to education, jobs, and quality information on sexual and reproductive health. At the same time, technology can fuel harmful digital divides, perpetuating racism and misogyny and exposing young people – especially adolescent girls – to increased risks of gender-based violence.

As we mark International Youth Day this year, this future is at the fingertips of young people. They have the power to make our digital and physical world more equal, just, peaceful and safe. 

As content creators, digital activists and global citizens, young people are using technology to expose injustice, debunk misinformation and stand up to oppression. They are also leading the charge on the front of digital rights and bodily autonomy: They’re claiming their bodyright and denouncing the lack of regulation that allows for technology-facilitated gender-based violence to flourish.

Technology is a tremendous tool to lessen inequality. It can promote gender equity and peace through innovation and the exchange of ideas, and it raises awareness of issues with ramifications for generations to come, such as climate change. It has galvanized young people to act and enabled grassroots movements to become global.

But to ensure young people’s right to exist safely online, societies must equip them with the skills, services and information necessary to benefit from the best of technology, while mitigating the risk of harm. 

There is much to be done. About two thirds of young people and children below the age of 25 have no Internet access at home. Adolescent girls, particularly those from the poorest households, are among those least able to connect. These gaps mean millions of young people are unlikely to get the education and digital literacy they need to succeed and fulfill their potential. Further, digital spaces are rife with hate speech and misogynistic abuse, which can have devastating consequences for the physical and mental well-being of young people. 

UNFPA champions the rights of young people around the world and works to enable them to fulfill their potential. With that in mind, the theme of the year for International Youth Day is: #YouthLead: Youth Leadership for Safe and Inclusive Digital Spaces. “UNFPA will always stand with young people,” Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem said at the recent Global Youth Dialogue. “We put young people first.”