Treaty of Middelburg
First, id want to protect privacy more. Right now , social media companies collect a bunch of personal data, often without users (young users in particular) fully realizing how much they're giving away. Id like to see stronger laws in place that give people more control over their own information. Users should be able to decide what gets shared and how their data is used. Id also love to see more transparency in how algorithms (from for example instagram or tiktok) choose what you see, and give users the ability to customize what appears in their feeds, It should be about the content that interests you, not about the content that gets the most likes.
Team members
- ■ Esmee Verdonk
Why do you want to participate?
I want to participate in the freedom conference because I believe freedom is essential and something we should never take for granted. It's important to have conversations about how we can protect and strengthen our freedom, especially in the world we now live in. I would like to engage with others who share the same opinion about freedom.
What does freedom mean to you?
Freedom is about being able to live my life the way I want to, make my own choices and express myself without fear. It means respecting others in their own ways and creating a society where everyone has the same opportunities. Its important to stay aware of that not everyone has the opportunities they deserve, we need to make sure that freedom isn't just for few, but for everyone.
What are the biggest challenges?
For young people today, freedom is often restricted in ways previous generations didn't have to deal with. Im mostly talking about social media and societal expectations in general. Social media has given young people a voice, but it also comes with constant judgement from across the globe, online harassment, and the fear of saying the wrong thing. Mistakes made online can follow a person for years, making it hard to truly express opinions without the worry of consequences. On top of that, companies and governments collect personal data, making privacy feel like a thing of the past. There's a huge pressure to succeed in today's society, we constantly want to meet everyone's expectations and to always be productive. Many people feel burned out at young age before they even have the chance to discover what they really want in life. I think freedom should include the ability to prioritize well-being of the youth, but that often feels impossible.
Do you have a message?
Balance and mindfulness are the key when it comes to technology. Social media can be amazing for connection and self-expression, but it can also be overwhelming if we let it take over. The important thing is to stay intentional about how we use it, we need to keep our own boundaries, take breaks, and don't let online life define our worth. True freedom comes when we take control of how we engage with the digital world, rather than letting it control us.
