Topic: 2025 – Protecting and Empowering Youth in Digital Spaces
Country: Greece
Delegate Name: Natalie Johncock
Committee: Human Rights Council (HRC)
Topic: Protecting and Empowering Youth in Digital Spaces
Country: Greece
School: Mattawan High School
The rapid evolution of digital technology has transformed nearly every part of life for young people. Social media, online classrooms, gaming platforms, and instant communication allow youth to connect globally and access information more easily than ever before. However, these same digital opportunities create significant risks, including cyberbullying, online exploitation, exposure to harmful content, misinformation, radicalization, and violations of privacy. These issues affect young people worldwide, but particularly in countries with high internet access such as Greece. It is essential that states address the concepts of digital literacy, cyber safety, ethical technology use, and data protection, ensuring youth can safely participate in online environments. As the digital world continues to grow, so does the urgency for global cooperation.
The United Nations has taken several steps toward addressing digital safety. The Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) established the foundation that children deserve protection in all environments, including digital ones. In 2021, the UN issued General Comment No. 25, which clarifies that children’s rights to safety, privacy, access to information, and freedom of expression must be upheld online. The Human Rights Council has also passed resolutions on privacy rights, internet freedom, cybersecurity, and countering online violence. Additionally, UN bodies such as INTERPOL and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have frameworks to combat the online exploitation and trafficking of children. Although many proposals promoting global digital regulation have been introduced, they often failed to pass due to concerns over sovereignty, technological differences across regions, and fears that online restrictions could threaten free expression.
Greece has experienced both the benefits and harms of youth in participation in digital spaces. Nearly all young people in Greece use the internet daily, which has led to increased reports of cyberbullying, scams, and harmful content targeting minors. Greece has taken several actions to protect youth, including establishing the Hellenic Cyber Crime Division, which investigates digital threats and provides public education. As a member of the European Union, Greece enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), one of the strongest privacy laws in the world, which requires companies to protect children’s data. Greek schools have also integrated digital literacy programs to teach safe and responsible technology use. Internationally, Greece supports UN and EU actions that defend freedom of expression by preventing online exploration, showing a commitment to balanced and rights-centered digital governance.
Greece believes that the protection and empowerment of youth online begins with education, transparency, and international cooperation. Greece supports expanding global digital literacy programs that teach children critical thinking, safe online behavior, and awareness of risks. Greece would endorse an HRC-led initiative that creates a Universal Digital Safety Curriculum available to all member states, especially developing countries. Additionally, Greece supports stronger partnerships between governments, law enforcement, technology companies, and schools to report and address online abuse more effectively, Greece also proposes the creation of an International Youth in Digital Safety Taskforce, which would coordinate investigations, share cyber-threat intelligence, and help countries build the capacity to protect children online. Greece further encourages technology companies to implement safer platform designs, including age-appropriate privacy settings, content moderations, and transparent data practices. These solutions reflect Greece’s commitment to building a digital world where youth can thrive safely, confidently, and free from harm.
