At In Tandem, we believe that facilitating transformational change for young people requires that they have a seat at the table today. After just ten months, we’re starting to see this take shape. We’ve had over 200 young people join us, together with over 20 organizations in health + social equity, ed tech, and research industries to design apps, curriculum, assessments and surveys; collaborate in long-term design projects; and explore how young people experience life and dream about a better, brighter future for all.
As our Systems Director, it is my responsibility to ensure that this act of being at the table is a safe and dignified experience for our Youth Partners. This commitment to their immediate well-being mirrors our vision of a better world, as we understand that their journey in shaping the future requires a positive and affirming one today.
That’s why at In Tandem we’re raising the bar for digital dignity—ensuring that every space where young people show up and share online is built with safety, agency, and trust at the center.
Setting the bar higher for young people everywhere
My motivation for this work is grounded in an urgent set of questions:
- Why are legal protections for youth and their data so inconsistent across different settings?
- How can we at In Tandem create and contribute to the standard we hope to see everywhere?
Today’s young people are generating massive digital footprints—often without realizing just how far those footprints reach. During the 2022–23 school year alone, students used an average of 45 different edtech tools, each with its own set of data collection practices. And beyond the classroom, nearly half of teens report being online almost constantly, navigating platforms that capitalize on their behavior in increasingly opaque ways. The scale and frequency of these interactions make it clear: youth deserve stronger, more consistent protections—everywhere they go online.
At In Tandem, we not only aim to be compliant with the most robust current legal protections for our young people (even those with which we aren’t required to comply), but also to establish a new baseline of digital dignity for all.
This vision isn’t something we can build alone. It’s only possible through the insights and partnership of our Youth Partners, who help us design our organization to truly reflect their needs and realities, and through the thought leadership and collaboration of professionals across education, research, and nonprofit spaces who share our commitment to a safer, more respectful digital world.
Our blueprint for a safer digital standard for young people
I'm exceptionally proud of In Tandem's Digital Safety Program, which stands on four pillars:
Wellbeing: We create environments where young people's mental and emotional health are prioritized, honoring their individuality and encouraging authentic self-expression through brave spaces. Our Youth Partners have access to an on-call Social Worker whenever it is requested.
Agency: We don't just talk about youth empowerment—we practice it by involving Youth Partners directly in decision-making and ensuring they have the information they need to make decisions that are best for them.
Transparency: We communicate openly with our Youth Partners about data practices, building trust through honesty and clarity. We also view ourselves as collaborators, joining youth and fellow advocates to learn, share, and build stronger standards together.
Data security: We implement rigorous protections for personal information, including strict access controls, third-party app review, and regular audits that keep sensitive data safe from unauthorized access.
Youth as co-designers in their digital safety
Our Youth Partners have been involved in the design of our Digital Safety Program from day one:
Early focus groups and questionnaires
Shortly after we recruited our first cohort of In Tandem Youth Partners, we began learning about their perceptions of safety and wellbeing. This led to the creation of a youth-led code of conduct for our digital space, detailed engagement invitations to preview what to expect, reminders about communication norms and how we discuss sensitive information, and a multi-step process of assent whenever youth-generated content is shared on social media and beyond.
Youth Experience Metric (YEM)
Our Youth Partners helped us design a custom metric for understanding how we are delivering on a meaningful and safe experience, allowing us to optimize in real-time based on what genuinely resonates and where we need to grow.
Post-session feedback loops
We maintain continuous improvement cycles powered by youth input, creating an evolving program that grows alongside the young people we serve.
Elevating digital safety standards benefits everyone
Prioritizing robust privacy and wellbeing for our Youth Partners doesn't hinder our mission—it profoundly enhances it. By weaving safety and dignity into everything we do, we create spaces where youth feel secure enough to take a seat at the table.
The most exciting part? This vital work welcomes everyone. You don't need technical expertise to contribute meaningfully to digital safety. Every perspective adds value in creating environments that genuinely support and empower young people.
If you share our vision for a higher standard of digital dignity, we invite you to help build it with us. Discover how we can work together to transform youth digital safety: in-tandem.org/organizations
Because every young person deserves to be seen, heard, and protected—both offline and online.
Leah Huck is the Systems Director at In Tandem, a nonprofit that makes it easy and safe for organizations to engage with youth and collect authentic feedback on the products and services designed for today's teens.