This piece is part of a collection of works commissioned by WeProtect Global Alliance to amplify youth voices at their 2024 global summit.

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Dear Esteemed Leaders,

I want to address a pressing concern across our interconnected world: the future of digital rights. As it is apparent in the modern day, where technology and lives are almost inseparable, digital rights are not simply an issue of law enshrined in policies but personal rights essential for safety. The positive aspects of the internet must be considered as it presents a wealth of information and means of communication and opportunities. Despite these advantages, technology also poses dangers that can limit people's freedoms, with children being particularly vulnerable.

Digital rights are human rights and include the right to privacy and freedom of speech, as well as the right to access information necessary for meaningful participation in the digital world. However, many people encounter threats capable of violating these rights. UN Human Rights Council believes that "the digital age has presented incredible opportunities and significant risks". As leaders, you are responsible for ensuring the digital world is a secure environment for all individuals. 

However, one of the more pressing issues of today is child abuse and exploitation online. Research estimates that “about 302 million young people, have been victims of non-consensual taking, sharing of and exposure to sexual images and video in the past year”. This child abuse and exploitation is quite shocking and calls for protection measures. Parents would like to know that their children are safe from child predators and other unlawful conduct when using social networking sites.

These problems must be met by creating strict measures that define how young people should be protected in cyberspace. Therefore, I believe governments worldwide must engage tech companies and create more ambitious regulations to ensure that safety does not have to mean sacrificing rights. For instance, implementing age restrictions can limit children's access to certain inappropriate materials, and informative campaigns can empower parents and children to better manage risks associated with the online world.

Furthermore, it is essential to cultivate responsibility among tech companies. If big corporations focus only on profit, they risk creating conditions where individuals are more susceptible to exploitation and abuse. As global leaders, you have the power to influence how these companies protect their users. To safeguard digital rights, we should advocate for transparency and ethical standards in data collection while viewing users' privacy as essential.

Although personal safety is an important concern, protecting many of our fundamental liberties in today's internet use is equally essential. For example, technical monitoring and data gathering inevitably can limit freedom of speech. People often start to self-censor because they don’t want to share their opinions or talk about their experiences if they think they’re being watched.

I want to reiterate that it is the responsibility of leaders to advocate for policies that would enable a balance between security and privacy. We must insist on ethical data practices and strong user protection from these platforms. The future of digital rights should involve everyone, and room should be created for young people to contribute towards the shaping of a safer use of digital platforms.

Finally, I urge you to advocate for digital rights during this conference and in similar forums. It is now our responsibility to ensure that the future of such a space is secure and made fair and accessible to all. Together, let us make the necessary effort to help every person, especially our children, to go through the World Wide Web without necessarily fearing for their safety and well-being. We can fight for a better digital world and the political, social, and civil liberties that matter to us.

I do appreciate your attention to this critical issue. I’m hoping to reach better times for us and the generations of young people after us with a secure online world.