Global Child Forum launches ListenUp: What Teenagers Want Tech to Hear — new insights from teens across eight countries

Global Child Forum today launches ListenUp: What Teenagers Want Tech to Hear, a new report presenting the first qualitative findings from a three-year initiative exploring what young people say they need from the digital environments shaping their relationships, learning, wellbeing, and sense of self.

Based on 11 focus groups with 93 teenagers aged 13–17 across eight countries, the report makes a clear ask of technology and telecom companies: design and govern digital spaces with young people’s rights, safety, and wellbeing built in — not bolted on after harm happens. 

“Teenagers are telling us something both simple and profound: digital life is real life — and they expect the systems around them to be designed with care,” said  Ekin Björstedt, Secretary General of Global Child Forum. “This report is a call to action for companies to move from intention to implementation: safer defaults, meaningful transparency, and youth engagement that isn’t symbolic, but structural — so young people are listened to as stakeholders in the products and platforms that shape their everyday lives.”  

What we heard from teenagers 

Across countries and contexts, five consistent headlines emerged:

• Digital is where social life happens.
• Pressure is built into the system.
• Safety must be proactive.
• Adults matter but teens want agency.
• Young people expect leadership from companies.

What teens want companies to do 

The report outlines six practical action areas — which will also inform the second phase of the project: 

1. Design for wellbeing by default — set safer defaults, reduce pressure mechanics, and add more “pause points” that support healthier use.
2. Make safety tools easy, fast, and effective — simplify reporting, strengthen moderation feedback loops, and ensure real consequences for harmful behaviour. 
3. Increase transparency and explainability — help young users understand why they see what they see, and give them meaningful control over feeds and recommendations. 
4. Protect privacy and reduce exposure — minimise data collection, limit unwanted contact, and prevent “default public” experiences for minors. 
5. Embed meaningful youth participation — involve young people early and throughout product and policy decisions, with clear influence on outcomes (not one-off consultations).
6. Strengthen accountability and measurement — set clear targets, assess risk regularly, and report progress so commitments translate into real-world change.

Corporate partner perspectives 

“The conversations with young people showed how deeply digital life is woven into their relationships, learning, and wellbeing. As a company, we see our role not only in providing connectivity, but in contributing to an ecosystem where young people can thrive,” said Elizabeth Tchoungui, Executive Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Orange.

“Life online evolves constantly — so our conversations with young people must do the same. They are at the forefront of change, and more than ever, we need to listen to their voices on what’s needed for better digital spaces. ListenUp! is a relevant and impactful initiative that Telia is proud to support,” said Ola Rembe, Senior Vice President, Head of Communications, Brand and Sustainability at Telia Company.

Notes to editors 

The full report, ListenUp: What Teenagers Want Tech to Hear, is available via Global Child Forum’s website and communications channels.  

Contacts

For more information about the initiative:

Sara Garmer 
Head of Business Development 
sara.garmer@globalchildforum.org  

Media contact:

Linda Ravin Lodding

Head of Communications
linda.lodding@globalchildforum.org

Founded in 2009 by the Swedish Royal Family, Global Child Forum is a leading forum for children’s rights and business dedicated to innovative thinking, knowledge-sharing and networking. We believe in the power and responsibility of business, working in partnership with all parts of society, to create a prosperous, sustainable and just society for the world’s children. In addition to our forums, Global Child Forum delivers research perspectives, best practices and risk assessment tools designed to unlock opportunities for businesses to integrate children’s rights into their operations and communities. For more information, visit www.globalchildforum.org.