Tech, trust, and teens: who’s looking out for young people online?

How do we protect young people in a digital-first world? And who’s responsible for protecting kids online?

From social media to AI, technology is evolving faster than policy, and young people are at the center of this digital revolution. While the internet offers incredible opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection, it also exposes children to risks that we are still learning to navigate. So how can we ensure young people develop the digital skills they need, whilst staying safe online?

In this episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson delves into the complexities of growing up in an era of screen ubiquity. She is joined by Baroness Beeban Kidron, a leading advocate for children’s digital rights, crossbench peer in the House of Lords, and founder of the 5Rights Foundation. Together, they explore the urgent need for digital regulation, the responsibilities of governments and tech companies, and the impact of online platforms on young people’s well-being.

We also hear from 17-year-old Nicole Valeria Ruiz Valencia, a data engineering and AI student from Colombia. Nicole shares how coding transformed her perspective on the world, empowering her to solve real-world problems. But she also reflects on the dangers of the digital sphere and the importance of awareness in navigating online spaces safely.

Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more thought-provoking discussions on culture, connection, and the power of education.

Additional Resources & Links:

Digital cultural relations: a pathway to trust? https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/digital-cultural-relations-pathway-trust

Skills for inclusive digital participation: https://www.britishcouncil.org/education/non-formal-education/current-programmes/skills-inclusive-digital-participation

5Rights Foundation: https://5rightsfoundation.com/about-us/ 

What is the Colombia Programme? - https://mintic.gov.co/colombiaprograma/847/w3-propertyvalue-916000.html

Follow British Council Research and Insight:

Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish 
Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight