Note: This article is written by an expert from one of our partners in the UNWDF Commitment to Data Governance Fit for Children. As a thoughtful reflection on the themes explored in the campaign, it offers valuable insights from the recent UN World Data Forum and serves as a meaningful conclusion to this “Youth Voices” series. While RD4C provided light editorial support to enhance readability, the content remains entirely the author’s. The views expressed are independent and do not necessarily reflect official positions or endorsements by UNICEF or The GovLab.

In today’s hyper-connected world, youth are more engaged with technology than any previous generation. According to the World Population Prospects, 56% of the world’s population is under 35, and almost 80% of young people aged 15-24 use the internet—14 percentage points more than the rest of the population. Despite their digital engagement, young people are often excluded from the conversations shaping the data economy, policy frameworks, and governance structures. This paradox highlights a critical issue: while youth are the most digitally connected group, they have little influence over how their data is used, governed, and regulated.

This article explores how young people can become key stakeholders in data governance and responsible artificial intelligence (AI), offering their unique insights to reshape policies that impact their future. It also offers some reflections regarding youth engagement and involvement in data governance, especially during the recent UN World Data Forum in Colombia and the need to fund and leverage these initiatives.

Informed data usage: youth as storytellers of their experience with data

One of the most common misconceptions about young people is that they are indifferent to issues like privacy and data usage. This assumption fails to recognize that youth are not only aware of the data economy but are also capable of articulating how they want their data to be managed. They are the best storytellers of their own experiences with technology and data. They understand the nuances of data collection and are increasingly concerned about the ethical dimensions of technology use.

Yet, young people remain absent from key decision-making processes. They are seen as passive users of technology rather than active participants who should shape its development. The disconnect between youth and data governance stems from a lack of access to spaces where these critical decisions are being made. The vocabulary around data governance is often complex, inaccessible, and uninviting to young people. They rarely have the opportunity to contribute their insights in meaningful ways. In policy discussions, their participation is frequently limited to token moments—a brief speech, a minute to offer feedback—rather than ongoing consultation and collaboration.

A shift in mindset is needed: we must bring young people to the center of these discussions. We need to design inclusive participatory methodologies that enable youth to contribute throughout the policymaking process, not just rubber-stamp decisions made by older generations. Youth-centered approaches, such as youth labs, where young people can experiment, collaborate, and offer feedback on tech design, data use, and policy formulation, could be a game-changer.

Youth role in data policies: from marginalized voices to active architects

Youth are not only underrepresented in tech design—despite being targeted as main users—but also in the policymaking sphere. Globally, only 13.52% of parliamentarians are under 40 years old, and youth are largely absent from international forums and national debates on digital policy. This lack of representation creates a policy landscape that does not reflect the concerns and aspirations of young people, despite the fact that youth will live with the long-term consequences of these decisions.

The impact of this exclusion is multifaceted. For example, youth face unique challenges in the digital age, including issues around mental health, digital literacy, and online safety. Without a voice in policy, these challenges are often overlooked. In many cases, adults assume that young people are digital natives who inherently understand technology, but this assumption neglects the fact that many young people lack the necessary digital literacy skills to navigate the complexities of the data economy. According to recent data, 67% of youth globally do not possess basic digital skills—largely due to the lack of adequate resources and infrastructure, which is a reality particularly prevalent in regions like Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean as well as in some Asian countries.

If youth are to play a more significant role in data policies, we must rethink how we engage various youth communities. Moving beyond tokenism, young people should be involved in drafting policies, consulting on frameworks, and contributing to the design of technologies that impact their lives. It is not enough for young people to provide input at the start or end of the policy process; they must be co-creators throughout. Advocacy efforts like those led by Design It For Us provide examples of how young people can leverage social media and other digital tools to share their thoughts, shape public discourse, and push for more inclusive and effective policies.

Youth engagement in global policy: fostering intergenerational dialogue

In the realm of data governance and AI ethics, young people have a vital role to play in shaping our digital future. The rapid rise of generative AI technologies and AI-driven decision-making tools has generated important ethical questions about transparency, bias, and accountability. 

An intergenerational dialogue is crucial to target these and other rising questions. Youth perspectives on AI governance are not only relevant but can enrich the debate, offering fresh ideas that challenge traditional ways of thinking. For example, in the recent debate surrounding TikTok’s use in the United States, young users voiced views that went beyond privacy issues to include questions about mental health, addiction, and social dynamics. These insights provide valuable context that older policymakers might overlook, underscoring the importance of having youth at the table.

At the latest UN World Data Forum in Medellín, Colombia, together with partners from the Data Governance Fit For Children commitment, various partners joined forces to bring youth voices to the center of data governance conversations. Throughout a full week, youth from Colombia and the world came together to share their insights, challenges and experiences with data and talked to decision makers about the issues they care most about. From the need to design safer technologies for children and youth of all ages to the impacts of data-driven technologies like AI on the planet, young people voiced their concerns to decision makers and interviewed global leaders to better understand and shape the conversation.

It was personally inspiring and exciting to witness how youth from all ages and contexts felt they belonged in this space thanks to the efforts of various partners. Young people came together to craft their own declaration on data governance fit for children and thanks to various workshops and labs, they were given the space to think about creative solutions for the challenges they are facing. Yet, the UN World Data Forum attested to the need to make these youth engagement efforts more sustainable. Youth engagement should not be limited to a participation in a specific conference or 1-hour intergenerational dialogue, but should be a continued and sustained endeavor. This requires dedicated teams, funding, and other resources. 

It is clear that young people are not simply passive consumers of technology—they are active users with ideas on how to shape it. Some are already working on startups and projects that harness data to address critical global challenges, from climate change to digital inclusion. By supporting youth-led initiatives in AI and data governance, we can ensure that these technologies are developed and deployed in ways that are ethical, inclusive, and forward-looking.

The way forward

To involve young people as key stakeholders in the digital economy, we need to foster intergenerational collaborations and create spaces for experimentation and dialogue. Projects that promote youth participation, such as hackathons focused on AI ethics, youth-led policy drafting sessions, or collaborative platforms for young tech entrepreneurs, can help bridge the gap between youth and data economy decision-making.

We also need to recognize that young people are not a monolithic group. Their experiences with technology vary significantly depending on their geographic location, economic background, and access to digital infrastructure. For instance, while some young people in urban areas may have access to high-speed internet and tech education, others—particularly in rural or underserved communities—may still lack basic connectivity and digital literacy skills.

To address these disparities, we must invest in digital inclusion initiatives that prioritize meaningful internet access, digital literacy, and skills training for all young people. And youth should have a say in how these initiatives are designed and implemented.

Conclusion

Youth nowadays are the most connected generation, yet they are the least involved in the governance of the technologies that shape their lives. To close this gap, we must bring young people to the center of conversations on data responsibility and governance. By equipping youth with the tools and the avenues to actively participate in policy making and tech design, we can ensure that the digital future is equitable, ethical, and reflective of the diverse experiences of young people. Their perspectives are not only valuable but essential to building a responsible, sustainable digital future for all.

About the Author

Mariana Rozo-Paz is a lawyer and policy professional passionate about data and AI governance, responsible innovation and digital inclusion. She worked at Data-Pop Alliance on Latin America's data-driven development policies and at Harvard's Berkman Klein Center on digital identity inclusion. Currently, she leads policy engagement and research at the Datasphere Initiative, where she heads the Youth4OurDataFuture project. She also lectures at the School of Government and co-directs the Tech and Policy Lab at Universidad de los Andes. Mariana is the co-founder and CEO of beBold, an initiative inspiring girls and young women to enter into and thrive in tech. She is an advocate for data equity and digital inclusion, especially of youth. 

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