European Youth for Digital Rights: Why Young Voices Matter

In 2024-2025, I participated in European Youth for Digital Rights (EYDR), a network of young advocates working on digital rights issues across Europe. It was part of the larger SCiDEV initiative, and it connected me with people who care deeply about making the digital world fairer and safer.

What EYDR Does

EYDR focuses on empowering young people to engage with digital rights issues, data privacy, online safety, platform accountability, and access to information. The goal is to ensure that youth perspectives are included in European digital policy discussions.

Why This Matters

Young people are the most active internet users, but we're often left out of the conversations about how digital spaces are regulated. EYDR flips that script by giving us tools, training, and platforms to contribute meaningfully to policy debates.

I worked on projects related to fact-checking, cybersecurity policy, and youth engagement strategies. One of the highlights was co-authoring the policy brief on AI in fact-checking, it felt good to contribute research that might actually influence how these tools are used.

The Bigger Picture

Digital rights aren't abstract concepts, they affect how we communicate, access information, express ourselves, and participate in society. As technology evolves, we need frameworks that protect people without stifling innovation.

Programs like EYDR ensure that the next generation has a voice in shaping those frameworks. It's not just about complaining, it's about showing up, doing the work, and offering solutions.

I'm grateful to have been part of this network and to have met so many people committed to building a better digital future.