Ahead of International Youth Day, the United Nations called on governments, technology companies, advertisers, media organizations and researchers to strengthen protections for children and young people online. However, young activists, particularly girls and members of minority groups, can face increased levels of cyberbullying, harassment and online surveillance. This means that traditional digital-literacy skills — such as checking sources and questioning suspicious content — are becoming just as important for young people as basic online safety. The message is clear: as technology develops faster than regulation, protecting children online will require more than general principles. Safety needs to be built into the digital products and AI systems that young people use every day.