Press release – Youth Ambassadors welcome Global Digital Compact

• At the Summit of the Future in New York, world leaders adopted the Global Digital Compact and committed to making the digital environment safe and rights-respecting for children and young people. 

• 5Rights Youth Ambassadors from over 25 countries across the world welcome this commitment from governments and look forward to its implementation by 2030.

World leaders just committed to a better digital future that respects the rights of children and young people. 

The Global Digital Compact, a key part of the Pact for the Future that global leaders adopted at the Summit of the Future on 22 September in New York, sets out a vision for a safe and fair digital future for all. It establishes principles, objectives, and actions to achieve a digital environment that respects the rights and well-being of all, especially children and young people. 

Building on the Resolution for children’s rights online adopted at the UN General Assembly last year, the Compact further reinforces governments’ commitment to take concrete steps to listen to children and young people and ensure high standards for our privacy and safety online, while improving access to technology. 

Reacting to the adoption of the Global Digital Compact, one of the 5Rights Youth Ambassador said:  

“The world we live in today is not the same as the one our grandparents grew up in, so why should we rely on old systems to protect us? The Global Digital Compact is a promise to children and young people like me –a promise that as technology advances, so will the efforts to keep us safe.” Theresa, 16, 5Rights Youth Ambassador from Zambia. 

A 5Rights Youth Ambassador attending the Summit of the Future on behalf of 5Rights added:

“Older generations have seen that these systems often don’t work for children and young people. Now, they want to give us something better—the gift of a safer and fairer digital future. By adopting the Global Digital Compact, countries like the United States are making a promise to children everywhere. This promise is about ensuring we can grow up in a digital world made for us.” – Skye, 13, 5Rights Youth Ambassador from the United States.

Over the past two years, the 5Rights Foundation has been a vocal advocate in global consultations on the Global Digital Compact, urging leaders not to overlook children’s established rights in the digital space, and the requirements on governments as well as private companies to respect and uphold them. Today, we celebrate that the message was heard.   

As Leanda Barrington-Leach, 5 Rights Executive Director, said:   

“The digital world offers incredible potential for children everywhere, but it cannot be realized without ensuring that the products and services children use are designed with their rights and needs in mind. It is encouraging to see this strong commitment from leaders everywhere at the highest level to deliver a better future for children. Now, we look forward to its swift and robust implementation.” 

Signatories