The development of digital technology has made today’s young people have a much wider space to engage in humanitarian issues. The authors argue that social media and digital networks have made young people important actors in the global solidarity movement, because from these spaces they can connect, make voices, and take real actions without having to be limited by distance or country. To support this view, the author offers three arguments: first, the ease of digital media in organizing movements; second, the emergence of a transnational movement led by young people; and third, the growth of common empathy which is the basis of global solidarity.
The inclusion of social media in daily life makes collective action simpler and more inclusive. According to (Teixeira et al., 2024), digital technology helps expand participation, open up space for creativity, and reduce barriers to organizing action. If in the past social movements required large physical space and resources, now with only mobile phones and internet connections, campaigns can spread widely. Social media is not only a place to share stories, but it has become a strategic arena to mobilize support and build networks between individuals in various parts of the world.
The most frequently discussed example is the Fridays for Future movement started by Greta Thunberg. Starting with a student sitting in protest against climate policy in front of the Swedish parliament, the movement has grown into a global movement involving thousands of students from different countries. This movement emphasizes that the voices of young people can be the main drivers of change. This pattern is also evident in campaigns related to mental health, gender equality, and refugee issues, suggesting that youth activism is moving beyond a single issue.
This growing solidarity is not only due to intellectual understanding, but also born from a sense of emotional closeness that grows through digital interactions. Stories and visuals spread on social media make suffering in other parts of the world feel close and real. This encourages young people to not only “know” an issue, but feel compelled to “get involved”. Their actions may be simple to share information, donate, or participate in digital campaigns, but these small steps play a role in fostering a culture of global concern.
(CIVICUS., 2022) shows that youth activism is now present in various forms and from different countries. Interviews with young activists from 55 communities show that they are involved not only as observers, but as agents of change. This confirms that care is no longer something tied to group identity or geographical boundaries, but a shared value.
Of course, digital activism is not exempt from challenges. There are concerns that these movements are momentary or just trend-following. The rapid dissemination of information is also vulnerable to misuse. However, the spirit that grows behind it remains important. The digital world has succeeded in opening learning spaces, discussion spaces, and action spaces that can form collective awareness.
From the explanation above, it can be understood that the youth solidarity movement is not just a temporary phenomenon. It is a new form of humanity that transcends national boundaries and distance. Young people are present as moral forces that seek to challenge injustice and push the world towards a more just, inclusive, and humane future. Digital solidarity is proof that human values can live and develop even if we do not meet each other face-to-face.
