How Young People Leverage Digital Technologies for Sustainable Development

Digital technologies have advanced rapidly in recent decades, and young people sit in the front row of this development. In relation to sustainable development, how can young people leverage technology to advance progress and create a better world for all?

Youth and Digital Technologies

Digital technologies and data contribute to at least 70% of the 169 SDG targets. From satellite mapping to financial service, digitalization has improved work across economic, social, environmental sectors, and more.

Most young people nowadays are called ‘digital natives’ to illustrate their degree of familiarity with digital technologies. They are well-versed in operating social media and keeping up with the newest tools, making them critical to leveraging digital technologies to support sustainable development. Then, what are some of the ways young people can use technology for sustainable development?

Activism and Empowerment

With how fast information travels, the digital sphere offers a potential environment for activism. Young people worldwide have been leveraging social media spaces to shed light on issues, mobilize donations, and make initiatives in the name of important topics, such as climate crisis and inequalities. 

For instance, K-pop fans have pooled donations for those in need multiple times for fandom celebrations on special occasions or milestones. Individually, sustainability-centered digital creators have also emerged to spread awareness of sustainability-related issues in various creative formats.

Moreover, digital skills have become essential in the job landscape. The emergence of green and tech-related jobs requires young people to keep up with the skills needed to survive the job market. However, in 2022, an average of 8% of young people aged 15 to 19 were not in employment, education, or training (NEET) in OECD countries. Therefore, it is crucial to make sure that young people have access to facilities that allow them to upskill and empower themselves as necessary.

Beyond empowering themselves, youth can also harness digitalization to empower others. For instance, Thùy Anh Ngô founded a comprehensive healthcare platform called HASU, which aims to improve the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of people aged 50 and older. In Kenya, Zeynab Miski Ahmed helped build collective intelligence to improve water resources management as a community data steward for the Tana River County Government, contributing to tackling water scarcity in the country. 

Youth in Sustainable Development

Ultimately, young people are important players in advancing sustainable development progress. Their insight and experiences cannot be overlooked, whether in innovation or decision-making. This includes the creative ways they approach issues through digital technologies.

Therefore, we must make space for young people to harness these tools responsibly. As disparities in technology access are still prevalent, ensuring access to digital tools for every young person globally is particularly vital. At the same time, governments and related stakeholders must implement the necessary policy framework to ensure safe, responsible, and sustainable technology usage.

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