4Voices

“Statistics say that out of the 7,000 languages in the world right now, 90% will be substituted by dominant ones.” Arnau Grau Vilaseca, a student at Escola Frederic Mistral Tècnic Eulàlia invites youth to save the non dominant languages on the Internet, by breathing life into their cultural heritage with every post and video. By sharing their stories, traditions and experiences in their native tongues, they can challenge the dominance of major languages online and make their voices heard. Imagine a world where every scroll reveals a tapestry of languages, each telling its own unique story. By collaborating with friends worldwide on multilingual projects and pushing for language preservation apps, youth can turn the tide. This isn’t just about saving words, it’s about preserving identities, histories and the very essence of who we are. The objective of 4Voices is to provide young participants with intensive training in public speaking, enabling them to deliver a powerful 5-minute speech navigating the future digital jungle.

“With technology, toxic relationships have increased dramatically.” Lucas Bragulat, a student at Institut Arquitecte Manuel Raspall believes so and that by fostering relentless comparison, cyberbullying and superficial connections. According to a global study by UNICEF, one in three young people have experienced cyberbullying. The pressure to appear perfect online often makes teens feel inadequate and isolated, turning friendships into numbers of likes and followers. The digital age can frequently distort their self-worth and erode the trust and empathy needed for healthy relationships, leaving teens more connected but deeply disconnected.

“We can perceive our emotions like a cup. Each one of us has a cup inside but we all have an end point. Therefore, we all have a limit of emotions we can take. And sometimes it just takes one extra drop for the cup to overflow.” Helena Maixer Guzman, a student at St PETER'S SCHOOL believes that, in the digital age, young people often find a sense of belonging when sharing their struggles online, hoping for empathy and connection. However, the constant flood of trauma dumping can overwhelm and burden their peers, who silently shoulder the emotional weight of their peers. This unintentional ripple effect can lead to anxiety, emotional fatigue and a sense of helplessness, as they navigate the delicate balance between offering support and protecting their own mental health. As we navigate this complex online world, it’s crucial to recognise the impact of our words and seek healthier ways to cope, ensuring we lift each other up rather than inadvertently dragging each other down. . .

“What if instead of having just one-way communication with that chip, where it can only receive signals from our brain, what if that same chip can send signals into our brains enabling two-way communication?” Kirill Rybkov, a student at BSB Castelldefels, BSB Sitges, BSB Nexus, BSB City imagines a world where young minds, full of dreams and limitless potential, are intimately connected to technology through brain chips. This fusion could unlock unparalleled creativity and intelligence, allowing them to solve problems and create innovations beyond our wildest imaginations. Yet, it also raises haunting questions about the loss of innocence and privacy, as every thought and emotion could be monitored, controlled or even exploited. As we stand on the brink of this technological revolution, we must ask ourselves: will brain chips empower our youth to soar to new heights or will they cage their free spirits in an uncharted digital realm? The future hangs in the balance, shaped by the choices we make today.

"Did you know that 73% of Gen Z, my generation, the teenage generation, reports feeling lonely? That's why the thought of a world where you can change anything - who you are, who you're with, what happens to you - sounds heavenly." Patricia Sagarra Novo, a student at Hamelin-Laie International School Barcelona here shares how teens are seeking out AI chatbots as emotional and social support. These interactions, while convenient, often lack the depth and empathy of human conversations, leaving many teens feeling isolated and misunderstood. An over-reliance on AI for social interaction may reduce a teen's ability to form genuine heartfelt relationships. Moreover, the constant availability of AI chatbots might deprive them of the rich, nuanced experiences that come from face-to-face communication. Parents need to be aware of these risks and model balanced, meaningful interactions to support their teen's well-being.

"Even though I actually don't know where I'm from, one thing the world has taught me is that you learn about yourself through travelling." Zach Levy, a student at Oak House School in Barcelona argues that we often find ourselves as tourists in our own lives, drifting through experiences with a detached gaze, snapping photos but often missing the essence of being alive. As tourists, we skim the surface, avoiding the messy, beautiful depth of genuine connection and understanding. But as travellers, we immerse ourselves in the richness of life, embracing its complexities and forging meaningful bonds. Maybe, Zach suggests, we should choose to be travellers, living fully and authentically, deeply invested in the journey rather than just passing through.

"Connecting with others, creating communities, it’s what defines us as humans, what helps us as humans and what heals us as humans." Martha-Nacira Soler Flores, a student at Escola Frederic Mistral - Tècnic Eulàlia (Sarrià) argues that social media provides the means to bring people together in ways that were once unimaginable. She has found communities where she felt understood and supported. She has sought out forums where she could be seen, heard and valued. Through her own determination and perseverance, Martha was able to connect in a world that often feels isolating and lonely.

"One in ten children under the age of 13 has been introduced to hardcore porn whether it was intentional or unintentional." Samuel Störer, a student at @internationalschoolmaresme argues that the impact of porn on young people is deeply troubling, as it shapes their understanding of relationships, sexuality and self-worth in ways that can leave lasting scars. When teens are exposed to unrealistic and often aggressive depictions of sex, it warps their expectations, leading to unhealthy attitudes and behaviours. They might struggle with self-esteem and body image, feeling they don't measure up to what they see on screen. It can also create harmful patterns of addiction, isolating them from genuine connections and stunting their emotional growth. Instead of learning about love and intimacy through meaningful conversations, they are left with harmful myths that make it harder to build respectful, loving relationships. .

"I learned that there's a lot more to the Internet than just scrolling on social media. But luckily for you all you don't need to hack into the Pentagon to be curious. All you need is something far more simple and yet in some ways so much more complicated. All you need is an open mind." Hanna Halmi-Hajda, a student at Sotogrande International School believes that curiosity and perspective are more than just tools - they are the source of human growth and resilience. Curiosity drives us to explore the 'digital jungle', to ask questions and to seek out new knowledge, constantly pushing us to learn and discover. Perspective, on the other hand, helps us step into others.

"When you feel mentally exhausted, instead of switching on your phone, switch off your mind." Pedro Hermanovich Frucella, a student at Hamelin-Laie International School Barcelona believes that endless scrolling through social media has trapped youth in a cycle of comparison and information overload. He believes that the constant barrage of curated 'perfection' and viral trends creates an unhealthy pressure to keep up, leading to mental fatigue and constant anxiety. Pedro offers a powerful solution to help teens break free from the screen and reclaim their well-being.