For youth development organizations, the question is not whether youth are using technology, but how to help them use it to build leadership skills, support wellbeing, and strengthen positive youth development (PYD).

Preparing Youth for Digital Leadership

Digital citizenship involves engaging safely, responsibly, and effectively online through critical thinking, respectful communication, responsible content creation, and community engagement.

Consider shifting conversations beyond screen time and toward digital citizenship, information literacy, and meaningful online engagement. When youth are given authentic opportunities to contribute, technology can strengthen youth-adult partnerships (YAPs) and amplify youth voices.

Help your youth build skills such as:

• Evaluating information and trustworthy sources.
• Thinking critically about media messages.
• Communicating respectfully online.
• Using technology to collaborate, lead, and solve problems.

Explore the OER Texas Digital Citizenship Collection, which offers free lessons and resources that can be adapted for youth programs, leadership groups, and community-based organizations.

Youth that can navigate online spaces responsibly become better at using digital tools to help them balance their academics, extracurricular activities, work, and relationships; all critical life skills.

Technology as a Tool for Youth Voice

Consider involving youth in social media creation, digital storytelling, peer feedback, and shaping online community spaces. These experiences build leadership skills and ensure youth voices inform organizational decisions.

Community Partner Spotlight: Rainbow of Love

Houston-based nonprofit Rainbow of Love (ROL) recently demonstrated the power of YAPs through its TYAN Spark Grant project, NextGen Leaders: Youth Building the Future. The initiative engaged three young adults as organizational partners, empowering them to:

• improve internal systems,
• digitize paper-based processes,
• create social media content,
• participate in community outreach,
• and contribute to grant research and organizational decision-making.

Rather than serving as program recipients, youth were treated as partners and change-makers, helping strengthen both their leadership skills and the organization’s impact. It serves as a strong example of how technology and youth voice can work together to create meaningful learning experiences while building organizational capacity.

Navigating Digital Spaces Responsibly

Creating positive digital experiences requires both connection and awareness. Organizations can help by encouraging open conversations about online safety, digital wellbeing, respectful communication, and responsible engagement. Trusted adults do not need to be technology experts to make a difference.

Try This with Your YAP: Have youth evaluate websites for credibility by reviewing authorship, supporting evidence, publication dates, and organizational affiliations. This Houston PBS Learning Media activity strengthens information literacy and helps youth make informed decisions about online content.

Explore: Identifying High-Quality Sites Lesson Plan | Common Sense Education | PBS LearningMedia

As the new school year begins, every interaction with youth is an opportunity to build digital citizenship, strengthen YAPs, and create spaces where young people can lead. By embracing technology as a tool for connection, learning, and leadership, organizations can help youth thrive both online and offline.