Author: Wendy S. Lesko

24 Youth Tech Organizations to Watch: How Young People Are Reshaping Responsible Technology

From Gen Alpha co-creators to youth-led movements for digital justice, these organizations are proving that seek to build healthier technology requires trusting young people as architects—not just users—of the digital future.

A growing number of organizations are recognizing the distinct advantages of collaborating with much younger minds—and many are taking that commitment a step further by intentionally engaging members of Gen Alpha. One reason is simple: this generation, born roughly between 2010 and 2024, has never experienced a world without constant digital connectivity, giving them perspectives that even Gen Z does not fully share.

Several years ago, when I began researching nonprofits that meaningfully embed young people in their work, Headstream immediately stood out. Unlike many organizations that recruit participants primarily between the ages of 16-24, Headstream intentionally invited those as young as 13. In doing so, it was ahead of the curve in recognizing the value of Gen Alpha’s lived digital experience.

Headstream also created a distinctive leadership model in which these young people serve as mentors to app developers and technology entrepreneurs. These teen collaborators provide ongoing, candid feedback as potential users, helping shape products in real time. As one of these young coaches, Nathan Asher, reflected:

“…it was an incredible way to get involved in making a change with social media platforms and gaming companies. I’ve never before had an experience where people in positions of power within these companies were truly listening to me and wanting to make a change.”

Today, Headstream is partnering with Cyber Collective to deepen this work. Together, they brought their young co-creators together to identify what it takes to build a genuinely co-creative process.

Their findings challenge assumptions about intergenerational collaboration. We often think about power dynamics between a 40-year-old adult who may unconsciously adopt a parental or protective stance toward young people. But age-based hierarchy can emerge even among younger generations: a 23-year-old can carry adultist assumptions toward a 13-year-old just as easily.

The reflections from these young participants offer valuable lessons for any organization seeking authentic cross-generational collaboration. As the group concluded:

“Their insights pushed us to think beyond a single workshop and toward something more adaptable, emotionally resonant, and lasting. Most importantly, they reminded us that partnerships—with youth, educators, and trusted community organizations—are the only way to scale safety, trust, and care.”

It is no surprise that Cyber Collective is one of the recipients of a 2026 grant from the Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund. This $1.9 million philanthropic initiative is supporting youth- and intergenerationally-led organizations working to build a healthier and safer digital ecosystem.

The Fund’s 23 other grantees—many led by people under age 30—have much to learn from Headstream’s sustained partnership with very young thought partners. Their model demonstrates that meaningful youth engagement is not about token consultation. It is about relying on young people, including the youngest digital natives, as essential co-architects in this international movement.

ORGS TO WATCH

Here are 24 organizations that RTPF supports with the belief “that young people can be a powerful force in the fight for a more inclusive and equitable technology ecosystem.”

#HalfTheStory is moving the world from screen-fear to screen-free fun by putting teens at the table of tech decision-making.

Agents of Influence helps young people take back control of their attention, their decisions, and the technologies shaping both.

AI Consensus builds environments that let young people come together and decide what AI becomes.

Center for Intimacy Justice works to hold technology platforms accountable for ensuring that young people can access accurate health education online without stigma, censorship, or algorithmic bias.

Civics Unplugged shapes young leaders to redefine civics as a verb and become active world-builders in their communities.

Cyber Collective gives people the tools, language, and support to stay safe online.

Decifer Studio allows people to pull back the curtain on emerging technologies, look behind the scenes, and imagine themselves at the steering wheel.

Design It For Us believes that young people should be at the center of the solutions for creating safer, more productive online spaces.

Despierta helps young people and families build healthier relationships with technology, themselves, and each other by blending mental health education, youth leadership, and culturally responsive learning.

Future Incubator serves as an operational partner for youth-led initiatives, providing administrative support in finance, HR, and legal compliance so young leaders can focus on fundraising, hiring, and scaling their work.

Gen-Z for Change brings together attorneys, creators, strategists, and organizers to translate digital influence into meaningful civic engagement.

Generation Patient is building a future where young adults with chronic conditions lead the way in reshaping care through peer support and systems reform grounded in lived experience.

Innovation for Everyone is a youth-led movement mobilizing for AI ethics literacy, reaching 70,000 students across 35 countries to preserve critical thinking and youth agency in the age of AI.

Kentucky Student Voice Team is a laboratory for democratic participation where young people investigate the education systems shaping their lives and help redesign them.

Kinston Teens, Inc. empowers young people through service, leadership, and civic engagement.

NClude Inc. works to unlock employment and economic independence for people with disabilities by transforming inaccessible digital systems into inclusive opportunities through accessible, responsible AI.

Next Gen Men creates positive shifts in how boys and men think of themselves, relate to others, and are viewed within their communities.

NoSo Connection Collective empowers young people to reclaim control over their time, attention, and well-being by building healthier relationships with technology.

Our Subscription to Addiction inspires young people to reclaim their agency with social media, equipping them with the confidence, tools, and resources to build healthier relationships with their phones and contribute to solutions.

Reboot is a publication by and for technologists.

Rooted Futures Lab is a research and action collective dedicated to centering environmental justice principles in technology.

trubel&co (pronounced like “trouble”) is a tech-justice nonprofit mobilizing youth and communities to leverage local data to tackle the challenges that matter most.

Young People’s Alliance is empowering young people to ensure that AI’s encroachments on our humanity create the conditions for policies that put our humanity first.

Youth for Privacy – Privacy Runway is a youth-led, youth-centered group advocating for privacy through education, outreach, research, and advocacy.

SIX CONCRETE RECOMMENDATIONS

Many elected officials in the U.S. who have the power to regulate digital platforms are clueless. Apart from young staff and perhaps grandchildren, they are unfamiliar about gaming, scrolling on TikTok, or using AI. Our lawmakers should rely on experts–not lobbyists. 

New research gathers data from 10–17-year-olds in numerous countries, then young people analyze the findings using the #Youth Foresight principle along with its 3 Horizons methodology. Lawmakers here and abroad should give serious consideration to the six recommendations outlined in this report: UNICEF Children’s Voices in Action report

Another especially important insight is Shai Naides ‘clear conclusion:

“The intergenerational trust gap doesn’t close through consultation alone. It closes when young people’s priorities and concerns are treated as relevant to understanding long-term challenges, when they are embedded within the analysis and decision-making rather than running alongside it in a parallel track.”

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Headstream https://www.headstreaminnovation.com

Sample Headstream Toolkit:
https://youthinfusion.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/headstream-equity-centered-youth-co-creation-framework.pdf

Hopelab https://hopelab.org

Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund
https://www.rtyouthpower.org/

Photo Credit: trubel@co

New Research on Gen Z’s Perspectives and Uses of Artificial Intelligence

Young people have long been early adopters of emerging technologies. Just as many teens developed an intuitive fluency with the internet and social media, their instincts about generative artificial intelligence may shape how the rest of society adapts. One leading AI executive recently predicted that those who are “instinctive” with AI models will be in high demand, even as many entry-level jobs disappear.

Two recent national surveys of Gen Z reveal strikingly similar findings. Given the rapid evolution of AI, this data offers early signals about where attitudes—and behaviors—may be headed.

A study by HOPELAB, highlighted in my Top 25 Must-Have Free Youth Infusion Resources,  examines youth perceptions of AI. Especially insightful is the section in this report titled “What Teens Say Adults Should Know About Their Uses of AI.” Teens describe AI as a “non-judgment zone.” That insight alone speaks volumes about why young people turn to these tools—and what adults often misunderstand. One teen noted that AI presents and explains information “better than most adults.”

At the same time, attitudes remain fluid. A new report from the Pew Research Center finds that Gen Z leans slightly positive overall, with many expressing the belief that “AI is the future.” Yet HOPELAB’s data reveal more nuanced differences: LGBTQ+ youths are more likely to anticipate negative impacts from AI in the next 10 years.

Surprisingly, both studies report that teens most commonly use AI for seeking information and brainstorming—not primarily for schoolwork. As one young person put it:

“We use it for very creative purposes, not just cheating on homework.”

HOPELAB survey finds:

Pew Research also sees similar demographic patterns:

Early Signals for Schools, Nonprofits, and Policymakers

A decade ago, sweeping assumptions labeled all young people “digital natives.” Today’s AI narrative risks repeating that mistake. Not all teens are active AI users, and many report feeling social “pressure” to keep up with this new technology.

AI does not yet appear to be fully integrated into most Gen Z lives, which may explain why privacy concerns currently hover below 25 percent in some surveys. Future research will likely probe more deeply into data-sharing anxieties and environmental questions surrounding energy-intensive data centers.

Even if schools attempt to sharply restrict AI use, the genie is out of the bottle. Consider students who quickly outmaneuvered districts that require phones to be locked in Yondr pouches. This student editorial calls out the waste of $7 million by the Los Angels Unified School District.

“A policy that promised to transform school culture instead revealed how out of touch district leadership really is.”

– National Scholastic Press Association

Once again, the lesson for schools, community organizations, nonprofits, and government institutions is clear: the sustained and substantive involvement of diverse young people in co-creating AI policies and programs is not optional.

If AI represents the future, youth foresight must help shape it.

If AI represents the future, youth foresight must help shape it

Additional Information

Photo credit: AI generated image

The Generation That Refuses to Wait

Across small towns and major cities, demonstrations against the Trump regime are growing in both size and intensity. But one development stands out: the surge of young people filling the streets.

“We are doing this to show a shared interest, a shared passion for keeping ICE out of our schools and our community.” —  High school senior Elise B.

This wave of Gen Z activism may be what finally pushes the nation toward the “Chenoweth rule”—the theory that sustained, nonviolent protest by just 3.5 percent of the population can trigger transformative change. History suggests that when young people move in large numbers, societies shift.

An uplifting post by Mark Provost captures this moment clearly:

The broadening generational participation against Trump is arguably more important than the widening geography of resistance.

Once again, young people have become the essential engine of a national movement. As Provost describes:

Today’s youth are the most diverse generation in American history. Attacks on immigrants and the normalization of cruelty cut deeply across racial and cultural lines. This blend of empathy and anger is only intensifying.

To witness spontaneous and organic protests by young people aged 14 to 22 rising up is to behold collective joy. I’ve reviewed thousands of images and videos. You don’t see a single student scrolling their phone. They are exuberant. They are alive. They are linking arms, hugging each other, and supporting each other. These kids are forming their identities and have made the decision to become active subjects in the American story. They appear determined to turn a new chapter.

Provost’s reflection shows how widespread this movement has become:

I saw kids in Burlington under a darkening cloudy skin wearing flannels and hoodies, and knew it wasn’t Burlington, Vermont, where’s it’s below freezing and at least 1,000 people marched. It was the mountainous town of Burlington, Washington. Portland, Oregon saw a big turnout; Portland’s Maine’s was even larger as a share of total residents. Students walked out at Brooklyn Tech, the largest high school in the nation.

These are not isolated protests in predictable places. They are emerging everywhere—urban and rural, coastal and inland. Moreover, there are serious risks to protesters, especially in certain states. Texas Gov. Abbott’s has threatened to curtail students’ First Amendment rights. He issued this statement: “Schools and staff who allow this behavior should be treated as co-conspirators and should not be immune to criminal behavior.” What a reminder of the landmark Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District that ruled “It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”

Political researcher John Della Volpe explains in his book Fight! How Generation Z Is Channeling Its Fear and Passion to Save America:

If there is a difference between millennials and the next generation, it is this: zoomers are not waiting on anything or anyone; they are going to force the issue. They will make the change by themselves–if necessary.

This generation has grown up amid gun violence, climate disasters, pandemics, and relentless political turmoil. Waiting for institutions to reform themselves—without genuine youth inclusion—has never seemed realistic. As their momentum contributes to the 3.5 percent threshold that history suggests can drive real change, they are shattering negative stereotypes about their generation and forcing older Americans to confront—and respect—their catalytic power.

Now is the time for adults to act as allies and accomplices to support the courageous students across the country.

Election Lessons for Every Organization

– Wendy Schaetzel Lesko

Profound lessons emerge from Zohran Mamdani’s victory even though NYC is unlike any other city. A historic turnout and a whopping 78 percent of those under age 30 voted for Zohran Mamdani. Sure, he is young, energetic, and charismatic, but I believe there is a broader conclusion that is relevant to any organization that recognizes the irreplaceable value of the rising generations. 

“The language with which we speak to young people is truly one of condescension… If you treat young people with the respect that they deserve then they will not be a part of your movement but the heart of your movement.”

Mamdani’s insight isn’t just about politics—it’s a wake-up call to every institution, nonprofit, and company that seeks to stay relevant and innovate. His words expose a persistent gap between how adults talk about young people and how rarely they talk with them. This “Youthquake” (Oxford Dictionaries’ Word of the Year in 2017), that powered his campaign did not happen by accident; it came from genuine listening, shared power, and the conviction that young people deserve to shape—not just support—the causes they believe in.

Cities have always been laboratories for democracy. In my recent article in the National Civic League’s magazine, I outline specific strategies for local government leaders to replace token youth engagement efforts. Read full article here. These lessons are magnified by Mamdani’s example. His victory demonstrates what becomes possible when young people are seen not as a “target audience” but as co-architects of civic renewal.

The election sharpens some of these approaches:

  • Demonstrate that young people are not too young to be critical thinkers
  • Amend the expression “meet them where they are” and instead meet their grievances and dreams head on
  • Make sure ideas emanating from “youth voice” does not continue to fall on deaf ears
  • Be relentless in learning from those young people who most impacted and unheard
  • Recognize the demand for urgency is not the negative stereotype of impatience that often sidelines young people
  • Replace empty rhetoric and broken promises with persistent and accountable action
  • Embrace “We are unstoppable, another world is possible!” 

Before the November 4 election, pollster John Della Volpe validated that people feel most campaign messages sound like scripts from a Human Resources department. Young people detect condescension in a heart beat. Yet the responses from these young NYC voters offer a poignant counterpoint and a hopeful challenge: h

“We’re hopeful — and just ready for some new love and spaces.”
“We still care. We’re just not represented.”
“We’ve been through a lot. But we’re still trying to be part of it.”
“We are the generation that will be talked about for generations.”

These are not the words of apathy or disengagement. They are an invitation—a plea—to rebuild trust through authenticity, shared purpose, and visible collaboration. Whether the context is an election, a nonprofit boardroom, a classroom, or a city hall, the message is the same: young people are paying attention. They are measuring not our slogans but our sincerity, not our outreach but our willingness to share real power.

Mamdani’s landslide is more than a political milestone; it’s a generational mirror. It reflects what happens when young people are not merely courted during campaign season but centered in year-round decision-making. Every organization, regardless of mission or size, can draw from this moment a simple yet profound truth: when young people feel truly seen, heard, and valued, they don’t just show up—they show the way forward.

Photo credit https://www.thecivicscenter.org

IGNITING IDEATION WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

You know when young people are asked for solutions to a complex community issue, their ideas often fall into one of two categories: proposals that simply tweak existing programs, or at the other extreme, radical reforms. Experts and seasoned professionals can become frustrated by what they perceive as a knowledge gap—ideas that seem either too incremental or too far-fetched.

But emerging neuroscience reveals a powerful new method for helping young people gain a wider lens—one that ignites deeper ideation. Although this research targets educators, it’s highly relevant for any organization that relies on younger minds to imagine fresh solutions.

“Transcendental adolescent thinking” may sound like the latest meditation trend, but it deserves serious attention from anyone trying to harness young people’s unique perspectives and innovative problem-solving capacities. It supports my recommendation to delay skill-based training and instead first invest time in expanding a young person’s aperture of exposure—beyond their immediate ecosystem.

Especially in an age when AI delivers information in the flicker of a second, this research carries even more weight. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, a professor of education, psychology, and neuroscience at the University of Southern California, conducted a remarkable study with 65 low-income individuals between the age of 14 to 18 from high-crime neighborhoods. She spent two hours—yes, real time—with each participant as they watched 40 compelling true stories and then they discussed “how did that story make you feel?”

This broad infusion of human experiences produced strong “transcendental thinking…beyond the here and now” – outside their firsthand experiences and assumptions. Two years later, this same cohort remained deeply motivated to contribute to their communities. As young adults, they reported high life satisfaction.

Watch a short overview of her work.

This level of intentional information sharing and reflection is something people of all ages could benefit from. Here are several impacts of this cognitive processing among young people.

Read the full research article.

(i) SYSTEMS-LEVEL ANALYSIS or moral judgements, or curiosities about how and why systems work as they do, e.g., “I also find it unfair that the people get undocumented. It’s kind of weird how it’s like a label how like just ‘cause you are from some other place, um, you can’t do certain things in another place. It’s like a question.It’s like something I’ve always wondered…”;

(ii) DISCUSSION OF BROAD IMPLICATIONS and morals and moral emotions, perspectives, personal lessons or values derived from the story, e.g., “I think back to the idea that because children are the future […] we have to be able to inspire people who are growing and have the potential to improve the societies”;“it makes me happy for humanity”;or

(iii) ANALYSIS OF THE PROTAGONIST’S QUALITIES of character, mind, or perspective, e.g.,“[she is] thinking, ‘oh, you’re not alone. You have others who are dependent on you’.”Importantly, it was not relevant whether the participant endorsed a value or lesson or agreed with the protagonist, e.g.,“I wouldn’t react that way. I’d just be really mad at the kid instead of, you know, selfless like that and trying to help him. Like I wouldn’t be able to put myself in someone’s shoes like that like he did.”

The potential for intergenerational collaboration is immense. A workshop or brainstorming session will not reach this high level of emotional engagement and cognitive output. Please share how your nonprofit or government agency is experimenting with this type of knowledge exchange with much younger minds who see the future in ways adults cannot fathom. The result is everyone gains a wider lens.

— Wendy S. Lesko

The Hidden Cost of Ignorance: Understanding Youth Perspectives

It probably sounds crazy but think about the benefits of “not knowing what you don’t know.” Understanding the full scope of an issue takes years and over time, that expertise can fence off the most basic questions and unconventional ideas. 

If those who possess such “wisdom” genuinely absorb the perspectives of aspiring young changemakers, this intergenerational collaboration can oxygenate the novices and experts. 

See how you react to “The Classroom, 2025,” exhibited by the Museum of Contemporary American Teenagers. Do you feel your synapses responding differently as you read the abstract of this art installation created by Alex Weiss, Mia Melton and Lois Proeller? (The photo above does not include the sound with the school announcing a drill.)

“My first lockdown was in elementary school. I was 8. We all hit in a corner, confused, scared, and not yet understanding that this would become all too normal. From the time my peers and I entered elementary school, we participated in various safety drills: Fire drills, weather drills, and shooting drills. We learned how to make a classroom look empty and how to find the best places in the room to hide. We grew up in a culture where school shootings were a regular risk of going to school. 

It isn’t fair that our learning environment should come with a danger of death every single day. We beg for help and are ignored and when something horrific happens, all we get are “thoughts and prayers.” We don’t get change. We don’t get safety. We get politicians with their heads in the clouds. We get adults too obsessed with their Second Amendment rights to realize that their stubbornness is killing kids.

I hope that with this installation, adults can at least understand a fraction of what students have to go through. This is our reality, 12 years of our childhood. A constant and looming threat of mortality shrouds our foundational years.  In a lockdown, the walls close in and the classroom has never felt more like a jail cell. You look around at your classmates, not knowing if these are the people you’ll spend your last moments with.”

Especially issues that directly impact children and young people, it is almost unimaginable to make policies about them without them – especially because they don’t have a graduate degree! 

Please share your comments because the more perspectives the better!

– Wendy S. Lesko

Let’s Recharge Our Batteries Together

All the chaos, cruelty, and cynicism can make it tempting to retreat to familiar surroundings and friends—often people your own age who may share similarly dystopian views. But I’m continually refueled when interacting with much younger minds, especially when talking about how “the world sucks.” These conversations may not always delve into history or generate profound insights. Instead, they offer a chance to see the world through different eyes. That wider lens reignites my brain.

Most organizations—often due to legal concerns—don’t bring people under age 18 into the heart of their operations. But there’s a rising tide pushing back against the idea that professionals and experts should substitute for the lived expertise of young people themselves.

“I am not becoming. I’m not in the making. I’m a full human being with thoughts and creativity and wisdom to offer.”
— Evelyn Monje, first high school employee hired by UP for Learning

Instead of being a burden, intergenerational collaboration uplifts everyone—from senior leaders to junior staff. Sophia Montemayor of Healthy Futures of Texas puts it best: “I genuinely love this work.” She describes her young collaborators as “battery chargers” and adds, “the evening meetings with these high school students make me forget how much I like to be in bed early.”

How can we help one another experience this same boost and joy? Light hearted and serious resources alike can offer strategies to navigate the complex dynamics of engaging young people in ways that enhance both credibility and effectiveness.

Will You Share Your Favorites?

We are collecting resources in all kinds of formats, including:

  • Google slide(s) with a compelling quote or graphic
  • IG post
  • YouTube video
  • Podcast or webinar
  • Article
  • Toolkit
  • Book or dissertation

Please use this link to contribute your recommendations.
If your submission is included in our forthcoming 25 Cool Clever Youth Infusion Resources in 2025 (working title), you’ll receive a free copy!

In the meantime, here are several of our one-pagers:

16 ARGUMENTS TO BRING MINORS IN-HOUSE

A FULL MENU OF ROLES

DEBATING TEEN COMPETENCE

16 CORE COMMITMENTS

Don’t keep your go-to resources to yourself—send them our way and help ignite a movement that values young people not just as future leaders, but as present-day partners. Many thanks! Wendy

Attn Policymakers: Research Shows Parents Misread Their Own Child’s School Experience

As the federal role in K–12 education wanes, local leadership holds greater sway. Yet when it comes to setting education policies, programs and priorities, student input remains largely tokenistic. In most school districts, only a handful of academically successful, self-selected students are invited to serve in advisory roles. Meanwhile, parents are still widely treated as the most credible narrators of their children’s school experiences.

But compelling new research reveals a troubling disconnect.

A 2025 Brookings Institution report, The Disengagement Gap, based on surveys of over 65,000 students (grades 3–12) and 2,000 parents, exposes stark mismatches between what students experience and what parents perceive.

  • Only 26% of 10th graders say they love school — yet 65% of their parents believe they do.
  • Only 44% say they learn a lot most of the time — compared to 72% of parents.
  • Only 29% say they learn about topics they’re interested in — versus 71% of parents.
  • Only 33% say they develop their own ideas — while 69% of parents assume they do.
  • Only 42% say they use thinking skills beyond memorization — compared to 78% of parents.
  • Only 39% say they feel a sense of belonging at school — yet 62% of parents think they do.

The report recommends tools like the Leaps Student Voice Survey to monitor engagement—but surveys alone aren’t enough. Policymakers must reach out to students who feel unseen or silenced: those in alternative schools, students with disabilities, teen parents, students who are bored, bullied, disengaged, or chronically absent. Their perspectives are not fringe—they are central.

These gaps indicate we need to reset for effective systemic change. Many of students have internalized years of being ignored. That’s why their insights are so critical.

Real engagement means more than the proverbial “listening” (though it seems that could use some resetting too). It calls for educators, school board members and administrators to value students as expert witnesses of their own experience. It also demands committed and knowledgeable experts to seek to build genuine rapport for students to open up because they can discern that this is not another “faux” focus group.

In the words of one of my mentors:

“Why do adults ask us to be open-minded when they don’t rethink what they believe?

– Milly Asherov, Classical High School Class of 2022

We must move beyond the habit of overvaluing parent perceptions and underestimating student realities. The future of education depends on listening differently—responding collaboratively—and respecting students not just as learners, but as co-creators.

IMPORTANT CAVEAT
My focus on positioning students in the front row with policymakers fails to address the bigger picture of our failing education system. There is deep analysis and solutions in this new book, The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better. Check out a wide- ranging discussion with one of the authors Dr. Rebecca Winthrop on The Ezra Klein Show.