If Cybercrime Were a Country, It Would Rank Among the World's Largest Economies

Cybersecurity may not be a top concern for today’s youth, but the statistics tell a different story. This generation faces higher rates of social media account hacking, phishing, identity theft, and cyberbullying. There's a common misconception that young people, as digital natives, are naturally tech-savvy and, by extension, cybersecurity-savvy. However, these two skills don’t necessarily go hand in hand.

But cybersecurity shouldn’t rest solely on the shoulders of individual users. We need collective action from governments, businesses, and communities to address this issue. For young people to prioritize cybersecurity, we must make it relevant and urgent, even if it feels distant or abstract. It’s time to inspire action and cultivate a culture of digital responsibility that goes beyond convenience.

Why Young People Should Care

To make cybersecurity feel more immediate and relevant to young people, we need to tie it to the social causes they already care about. Rather than framing cybersecurity as just a technical necessity or a threat to avoid, we should show how it enables progress in areas like climate action, gender equality, and mental health. By making cybersecurity a tool for positive change, we can inspire young people to advocate for its integration into the broader conversations they’re leading.

Cybersecurity and the Climate Crisis

When it comes to the climate crisis, cybersecurity is often overlooked, but it’s essential to a sustainable future. As we transition to green technologies, the risk of cyberattacks on critical systems increases. For instance, cyberattacks on industrial systems managing hazardous materials like water treatment plants can lead to environmental disasters. But it's not just traditional infrastructure that’s vulnerable—digitized green technologies like software-defined power grids, energy-efficient sensors, and electric vehicle charging stations are interconnected and present new security risks. The rapid deployment of these technologies often prioritizes function and innovation over security, creating vulnerabilities that can be exploited.

For young people at the forefront of climate action, understanding the relationship between cybersecurity and sustainability is key. By integrating cybersecurity into green technology solutions and supply chains, we can reduce environmental harms while ensuring that these technologies remain functional, secure, and capable of meeting their intended goals.

Cybersecurity and Gender Equality

Gender equality is another critical issue for young people today, and it is just as relevant in the digital world as in the physical one. Technology can both amplify and perpetuate offline inequalities, with women and marginalized groups often facing increased risks online. Cyberattacks that disrupt public services can hinder access to essential services like women’s healthcare. Moreover, the proliferation of harmful content, such as deepfake pornography, disproportionately affects women and marginalized communities.

For young people championing gender equality, cybersecurity is a powerful tool to create a safer digital space. By advocating for secure online environments, they can help ensure that women and marginalized groups feel safe and empowered to use technology without fear of harassment or exploitation. A cyber-secure world is one where all people, regardless of gender, can participate equally and without intimidation.

Cybersecurity and Mental Health

The relationship between cybersecurity and mental health is another area that directly impacts young people. Studies show that online bullying is linked to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, especially among vulnerable groups. Additionally, algorithms and recommendation systems on social media can expose users to harmful or misleading content, contributing to psychological distress.

By prioritizing cybersecurity measures that protect online users from harassment and harmful content, we can create healthier digital spaces. For young advocates of mental health, pushing for privacy-focused features and stronger security measures on social media platforms is a step toward mitigating these mental health risks. Features like more granular control over who can interact with users, restrictions on harmful commenting or reposting, and more robust reporting tools can give users the ability to protect themselves and their well-being.

The Role of Young People in Shaping the Future

Young people are already leading the way in advocating for climate action, gender equality, and mental health awareness. As these issues increasingly intersect with the digital world, cybersecurity becomes a vital enabler of progress. It’s not just about protecting personal data or preventing cyberattacks—it’s about ensuring that critical infrastructure remains secure, that technologies are built with inclusivity in mind, and that digital spaces are safe for everyone.

Cybersecurity isn't just a technical concern; it’s a societal one. By understanding and advocating for cybersecurity solutions that support the causes they care about, young people can make a significant impact on how the digital world evolves. Cybersecurity can be the keystone that holds together the architecture of a more secure, inclusive, and sustainable global community with Cyberr

In essence, cybersecurity is not just about protecting systems from attacks—it’s about protecting the values and causes that matter most to future generations. Through collective action, young people have the power to shape a safer, more equitable digital world where everyone can thrive.