Where in the World did Susan Go?
In January I received an invitation in the mail, seemingly out of the blue, to join other speakers in Saudi Arabia for the first Sync Digital Wellbeing Summit March 28-30. It’s not a daily occurrence to receive an invitation like this, and I was thrilled that I accepted. I not only met 60 respected leaders in the field of digital wellbeing from a variety of disciplines, but was able to speak to youth, parents and educators from around the world at this momentous event.
To some, this was the 'Davos of digital wellbeing' with ambition to drive greater understanding of digital harms to raise awareness of the hidden realities of our relationship with digital services. For LookUp, it affirmed our mission to empower and amplify youth leaders. We are truly one of the only organizations whose mission is solely to bring Gen Z voices, optimism and innovation to the task of creating a healthy, safe and peaceful digital world.
The two-day event was hosted both virtually and at the Ithra Cultural Center in Dhahran and included presenters from tech, academia, sports, culture/policy, and providing a platform for thought leaders to develop new solutions for protecting the wellbeing of digital media users worldwide.
As I spoke about our youth leaders at LookUp, I brought the perspectives of our youth solutions, advocacy and stories to a global audience during my panel named “Knowledge is power: Digital Literacy and its influence on Digital Wellbeing.” While many speakers there focused on how adults support youth, my focus (as always) was centered on harnessing the power of Gen Z to identify their pain points and create solutions, innovations, and films to raise awareness and engage their peers.
I was especially pleased to share the work of innovators Emma Lembke and Aliza Kopans of Tech(nically) Politics, as they are supporting the CA Age Appropriate Design Code Bill with a youth petition. If all states and countries followed the UK’s model for a safe and protective design code, which is what California is currently doing, we might be one step closer to creating a healthier online world for the world’s youth.
In many ways the discussions at this Summit were similar to our Youth4Youth iSummit with topics like Technology and Me, Friend of Phone? Relationships in the Digital Age, The Psychology or Technology and specific sessions devoted to Gen Z.
Technology and me was a fireside chat with two dynamic youth: Isabella Plunkett who as a content moderator on Meta is advocating for better mental health support for those removing the inappropriate content we don't see.
Gitanjali Rao spoke to the power of technology to shift the tide on cyber bullying. As Time Magazine's first ever "Kid of the Year" in 2020, she inspired the entire audience of speakers and participants alike. It is with honor and excitement to mention that both will join us in the LookUp Leadership Lab.
Now the call to action with a question: How do we keep the conversations going began on stage and in small group breakout sessions dedicated to digital wellbeing across the planet, and most especially for young people? With 4000 registered in person participants and 60,000 virtual views, never before has a group of people come together to laser focus on digital wellbeing.
The long term effects of the Summit cannot yet be measured. However, the intentions of the organizers and speakers were to create a global movement that brings countries together to solve the complex problems of living in an increasingly ubiquitous digital world. This was accomplished through two days of panels, displays, and spontaneous conversation. To hear the full conversation from this panel specifically, check it out here!
What’s also incredible is that California is taking the lead when it comes to the necessary tech policy that I’ve mentioned before.
I am thrilled to keep this conversation going and will share all that I can with you. My first post-Summit meeting is this week. Please, stay tuned for more updates!
-Susan Reynolds
