How Young People Leverage Digital Technologies for Sustainable Development
Photo: Desola Lanre-Ologun on Unsplash.
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.
Join Green Network Asia – An Ecosystem of Shared Value for Sustainable Development.
Learn, share, network, and get involved in our movement to create positive impact for people and the planet through our public education and multi-stakeholder advocacy on sustainability-related issues and sustainable development.
Become a Member Now
Kresentia Madina
Madina is the Assistant Manager for Digital Publications at Green Network Asia. She graduated from Universitas Indonesia with a bachelor's degree in English Literature. She has three years of professional experience working on GNA international digital publications, programs, and partnerships particularly on social and cultural issues.
The Role of Seaweed for Climate Action and Community Resilience 
Beyond Empty Promises: How Hong Kong Can Build Consumer Trust in Sustainability 
Looking into Desalination to Tackle the Growing Water Crisis in MENA and Beyond 
Supporting Rewilding to Reverse Ecological Crisis 
Animating the Environment Through the Indigenous Language of Potawatomi 
How the Ongi River Movement in Mongolia Protects People and the Planet