For young people in Bangladesh, the internet is central to how they learn, communicate, and build communities. But it also exposes them to cyberbullying, harassment, misinformation, privacy violations, and other forms of online harm.

A study reported in December 2025 found that 23 percent of children in Bangladesh face severe risks on online platforms. Concerns over cyberbullying and harassment faced by women online have also grown in recent years.

To address these challenges, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh, under the Strengthening Institutions, Policies and Services (SIPS) project, marked International Youth Day 2026 by launching Promise2Protect,  a campaign encouraging young people to help make cyberspace safer, partnering with SURGE Bangladesh.

From Fellowship to Movement

The campaign grew out of UNDP's Human Rights Fellowship, under SIPS project supported by the Government of Switzerland that trains young advocates to promote human rights awareness and community action. Fellows selected through the programme later became campaign ambassadors, taking Promise2Protect into their own communities.

Participants were asked to make a public promise to help keep the digital space safe, and to nominate three others to do the same. Commitments ranged from verifying information before sharing it and respecting others' privacy, to rejecting cyberbullying and staying cautious about AI-generated content.

Recognizing Youth Voices

Among thousands of participants, three were selected as the winners and 10 for special recognitions. They were honoured at a ceremony in presence of UNDP’s Resident Representative, Stephen Rodriques.

"Young people in this country have driven the most important changes we've seen in recent decades," said Stephen Rodriques. "It takes courage to do what you are doing, trying to find solutions. You are part of a movement, a cause, and I'm delighted to be here today to acknowledge your contribution to keeping the digital space safe for everyone."

For many participants, the campaign was also a chance to reflect on their own role in shaping online behaviour.

"If we silence our voices, we lose the ripple effect, the impact we could have on society," said Sadia Zaman Arshi, a campaign ambassador. "But if we raise our voices together, we can help make cyberspace safer for everyone."

Among the top winners was content creator Oliur Rahman, who used his platform to push a more serious message than his usual content.

"People pay more attention to viral things and less to serious matters," he said. "I wanted to use my platform to say something that would actually reach two or three people and mean something to them."

Reaching Beyond Borders

The campaign's reach extended into Rohingya refugee camps, where young Rohingya creators made their own videos in support of the initiative. Their content drew attention both within the camps and among host communities nearby.

By the time submissions closed, Promise2Protect had recorded more than 100 formal entries from 24 districts across Bangladesh, while campaign content reached over 300,000 people on social media.

What's Next

Though the campaign has ended, but the movement it sparked will not. Young campaigners have vowed to continue their advocacy until the digital space is safe for everyone, carrying the promises made during Promise2Protect into their communities.