Earlier this week (on Monday to be precise), the UN celebrated International Youth Day 2024. Since 2000, the UN has marked the 12th of August as a day for youth organisations and members of the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development to select a theme and, hopefully, motivate young people across the globe to plan activities that highlight the issues affecting youth in their countries. This year’s theme was “From Clicks To Progress: Youth Digital Pathways For Sustainable Development”.
When we talk about digital technologies and young people in the same breath, we’re often referencing the negative impacts of social media on their mental health. In this case, however, the UN highlights how young people being so-called “digital natives” is hugely beneficial in the efforts of international governments to achieve a number of their 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To be clear, SDGs are a set of 17 goals aimed at ending poverty and inequality, protecting the planet, and ensuring that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity.
As the innate capabilities of technologies such as mobile devices and AI continue to grow, more and more young people, who have grown up with these technologies and are best placed to utilise them, are entering the workforce. These technologies… “like mobile devices, digital platforms, and emerging innovations such as artificial intelligence play a crucial role in advancing the SDGs. Data generated from every digital interaction is fundamental to digital transformation, enabling evidence-based decision-making. It is estimated that digital technologies and data contribute to at least 70% of the 169 SDG targets, bringing about a profound impact across their economic, social, and environmental dimensions.”
What’s the lesson from all this? We should definitely be wary of young people’s use of technology, particularly at an early age. Meanwhile, being proactive about enhancing their understanding of how to use technology as a tool, rather than being controlled by it, could be pivotal in shaping the future of our planet.
You can find out more about International Youth Day 2024 by clicking below:
Finally, A-level results day has just passed, with GCSE results day approaching next week. We’re wishing the very best for all young people in and around Hitchin. We see how much hard work students and teachers put in to achieve the best grades possible. Please get in touch and let us know how you get on, whether you’re celebrating or need support.
