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 wellbeing.
Check out the youth-created content below!
Beyond the Blue Light: 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.
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
- In collaboration with California Department of Public Health, recommendations for schools, parents and youth on how to engage with social media platforms and access phones
WHAT’S AHEAD:
- Podcast Showcase: February 12, 2024
- 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