World Wide Web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Web Foundation co-founder Rosemary Leith have issued a call to enable the participation of more young people in the online economy.
In a statement issued to mark the the 32nd anniversary of the Web, they reflect on the Web’s power to catalyse change can and must help shape the world we want.
“Across the globe, young people in particular are leading by example, using the web to create a better, fairer future. These young leaders see the web as a tool to fight for justice, expand opportunities, and find solutions to pressing problems.”
They add that a third of young people have no Internet access at all. “Many more lack the data, devices, and reliable connection they need to make the most of the web. In fact, only the top third of under-25s have a home internet connection, according to UNICEF, leaving 2,2-billion young people without the stable access they need to learn online, which has helped so many others continue their education during the pandemic.
“When young people do get online, too often they are confronted with abuse, misinformation, and other dangerous content, which threatens their participation and can force them from platforms altogether. This is especially true for those disproportionately targeted on the basis of their race, religion, sexuality, abilities, and gender.
“The consequences of this exclusion affect everyone. How many brilliant young minds fall on the wrong side of the digital divide? How many voices of would-be leaders are being silenced by a toxic Internet?
“Every young person who can’t connect represents a lost opportunity for new ideas and innovations that could serve humanity.”
As we did with electricity last century, Berners-Lee and Leith believe we must recognise internet access as a basic right and we must work to make sure all young people can connect to a Web that gives them the power to shape their world.
The outline what’s needed to make this a reality:
Invest to bring all young people online
“Delivering internet access to all young people is well within our reach. Through funding for network infrastructure, subsidies, and support for community networks, we can get the Web into the hands of every young person on earth.
“To do so, leaders must rapidly scale investment to make sure everyone, everywhere is within reach of a meaningful internet connection, with the speeds, data, and devices they need to make the most of the Web. An all-out push to connect the world will make sure that young people do not fall through the cracks.
“We know what it would take. The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), an initiative of the Web Foundation, has calculated that $428-billion of additional investment over 10 years would provide everyone a quality broadband connection. To put this in perspective, that amounts to the equivalent of just $116 per person for the 3,7-billion people who remain offline today.
“By giving billions more people tools to learn, earn, and create, this down payment for future generations would deliver incredible returns in the form of economic growth and social empowerment. It’s estimated that a 10% increase in the number of people online translates to a 2% lift in an economy’s GDP, and new analysis finds that achieving universal broadband in the developing world by 2030 would deliver around $8,7-trillion in direct economic benefits. We can’t afford not to do it.”
Make technology empowering by design
“While we work to get all young people connected, we must also make sure technology is helpful, not harmful; inclusive, not exclusive.
“How products and services are designed helps determine whether or not young people can use them safely and effectively. But too often, the development and design of tech fails to make users’ rights and wellbeing a top priority.
“Tech companies must understand the unique experiences and needs of young people and work with them to co-create products and services that respect their rights. And governments need to pass effective laws that govern technology and hold companies to account for creating responsible products and services.”