19/10/2026
What does it take for young people to be heard, protected and able to shape the digital world they’re growing up in?
Yania Hussain Ishan, 18, grew up with the internet as part of everyday life. In the Maldives, where young people live on hundreds of islands, digital spaces can bring people together across distances. They can open doors to learning, friendships, advocacy and opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
Now AI is becoming part of that world too. Young people like Yania see its potential but also recognize threats like online harm and the environmental cost of technology.
Read Yania’s perspective: https://unicef.link/3VRbZWc
UNICEF Maldives