UNICEF harnesses social media power to drive important messages, mobilize youth on critical issues

Leveraging platforms familiar to young individuals, such as internet-connected devices like mobile phones, tablets, and PCs, UNICEF Philippines aims to harness the digital proficiency of Filipino youth for mobilization on critical issues like climate change and nutrition.

Through "U-Report," developed by UNICEF, young people can actively participate in discussions on topics that concern them and humanity at large. Described as a free messaging and polling tool, "U-Report" is designed to amplify the voices of every young person, empowering them to express their opinions, as highlighted by UNICEF Philippines on its Facebook page.

According to the Digital 2022 Report, the Philippines had 76.01 million internet users in January 2022, with an internet penetration rate of 68.0% of the total population. This initiative aligns with the high internet usage among Filipino youth, as demonstrated by the 86% internet usage rate among respondents aged 18 to 24, compared to 14% for those aged 55 and above.

UNICEF Philippines emphasized that "U-Report" functions by gathering fully anonymized opinions and information from young people, with results analyzed, mapped, and displayed in real-time on https://ureport.in/.

This ensures that the voices of young people reach decision-makers in the country. The tool has evolved into an international movement for positive social change, with over 32 million U-Reporters globally.

Introduced in the Philippines in 2020, U-Report empowers young individuals to voice their concerns, hold duty bearers accountable, and address the needs of adolescents, run by UNICEF, its partners, and U-Reporters themselves.

At the beginning of 2022, the nation's internet penetration rate was recorded at 68.0 percent of the total population.

According to a survey conducted by Statista, it was found that approximately 86 percent of respondents aged between 18 to 24 years old were internet users, while only 14 percent of respondents aged 55 years and above utilized the internet.

UNICEF Philippines elucidated that "U-Report" operates by collecting fully anonymized opinions and information from young people regarding issues they care about. The results are then analyzed, mapped, and displayed in real-time on https://ureport.in/, ensuring that the voices of young people reach decision-makers in the country.

Highlighting the evolution of "U-Report" into an international movement for positive social change, UNICEF noted that it has garnered over 32 million U-Reporters to date.

This tool is actively employed in 99 countries globally to disseminate information, raise awareness, and gather poll responses on specific areas impacting children, particularly the most vulnerable.

Introduced in the Philippines in 2020, "U-Report" was initially presented to the youth of the Bangsamoro Region amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Its purpose is to empower young individuals to persist as the voice of their community, hold duty bearers accountable, and ensure that policymakers address the needs of adolescents. The initiative is managed by UNICEF, its partners, and U-Reporters themselves.