Healthy Online Platforms for Everyone (HOPE) is a coalition organizing to hold Meta, and the larger online community, accountable for the advertising that we all receive.
Social media is shaping us in so many ways, especially young people who are now online at an early age. While young people were not at the center of the creators’ minds when they designed social media, they sure do make up a large part of the consumers of social media platforms.
We absorb an endless amount of messages and content, and there is a lack of conversation about how social media messages impact our mental health. Healthy Online Platform for Everyone (HOPE) is a California coalition organizing to hold social media companies accountable for the messages youth receive online and enhance online protective measures.
We aim to spread awareness about the positive and negative aspects of social media (substance abuse, the addictiveness of social media, body image dissatisfaction, cyberbullying, online scams, etc.). As we work towards building a healthy relationship with technology, we provide tips about how youth can be safer and more mindful of their online presence. We believe that young people can design solutions to harmful technology and build the social media platforms and content that best support their well-being. Read all about the Coalition in the 2025 Building HOPE with Youth Report.
Check out the youth-created content below!
Beyond the Blue Light Series
Unexpected Harms by Aileth Aguilar
My narrative focuses on my middle school experience using social media. It portrays the positive and negative aspects of social media and encourages youth who view my story to be more aware of using social media.
This project helped me share my story’s message: to encourage youth to be more aware of using social media; to set boundaries and limits, and not let social media control their daily lives; and, to help make social media a better platform to use.
Trapped in the Scroll by Sanjna Hegde
My narrative focuses on my high school experience using social media. It focuses on how social media shapes the way young people see themselves. While this project shares my story, it also speaks to a larger issue. Doomscrolling and constant comparison can take a real toll on mental health.
My hope is that it encourages other youth to think about how social media impact their well-being and to use these platforms in healthier and more intentional ways.
Our Latest AI Literacy Webinar
This is a collaboration between HOPE Coalition and Sons & Brothers. Learn about the history of generative AI and deepfakes, how to identify a fake, and what may be in store for the future. This is an open invitation to all who would like to join in on the discussion around AI Literacy.
WHO IS HOPE?
The HOPE Coalition is a coalition with two components: the General and the Youth Coalition.
The HOPE General Coalition brings youth and adults together to share knowledge and tools, and to co-create meaningful positive change online. The General Coalition meets quarterly and hosts
The HOPE Youth Coalition was established to complement the HOPE General Coalition by implementing a youth-led participatory research process and campaign that addresses how harmful messaging directly impacts youth mental health and youth relationships to social media platforms. The HOPE Youth Coalition quickly became the driver of change through research, storytelling, and policy, calling for stronger protections online that will enhance online spaces for generations to come.
WHAT WE’VE BEEN WORKING ON:
- Statewide Policy Campaign to enhance digital media literacy
- Social Media Diaries Research Study
- Second Season of our HOPE PodcastÂ
- Hosting virtual webinars on media literacy, online regulation, and power building.
WHAT’S AHEAD:
- Hosting Media Literacy Workshops at Schools
- Campaigning and Community Outreach
- Meeting with Legislators
Interested in Joining?
The HOPE General Coalition meets quarterly. The HOPE Youth Coalition hosts three workgroups: Social Media, Animation and Policy.
Both meetings are held via teleconference.
To become a HOPE member, please visit www.youthforhope.org and fill out the membership form.
Here are some other ways to stay involved:
- Follow the HOPE Youth Coalition on Instagram at @hope.yli
- Sign up for the newsletter on our webpageÂ
- Listen to us on SpotifyÂ
- Become part of the HOPE Movement and join a coalition workgroup