Do not lock us in a golden cage and call it protection. The failure to address the root causes of harm does not justify our exclusion, not even temporarily.

Despite their flaws, online spaces offer something rare: meaningful access to information, connection and participation, at an unparalleled scale. These platforms are where we learn, create, organise, and take part in public and democratic life.

Social media are far more than entertainment – especially for marginalised young people, including LGBTQIA+, disabled, religious minorities and migrant communities. They are lifelines, offering access to information, community, and support that may not exist elsewhere.

How people use these spaces depends on their offline realities – whether they feel safe at home, have support networks, face language barriers, or experience racism or discrimination. For some, social media provide anonymity and safety; for others, they are the only way to access communities, resources, or information that would otherwise be out of reach.