Digital Media: Youth’s Tool to Open Dialogue and Influence Policy

By Hebatullah Al-Qurashi – Member of the Safe Political Youth Rural Space

Today, when we talk about digital media, we’re not just talking about Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as entertainment platforms. We’re talking about tools that have become the primary arena through which young people raise their issues. In the Rural Youth Political Space, for example, we wrote policy papers on labor and education issues, and we noticed a huge gap between the policies being written in offices and the reality and needs of rural youth. The fundamental problem is that the voices of young people rarely reach decision-makers, but digital media today gives us a powerful tool to bridge this gap.

The important question is: If decision-makers are not hearing the voices of young people directly, why don’t we use digital media as a means to make our voices reach them in a way that they cannot ignore?

Digital media as a space for dialogue

Dialogue isn’t just a discussion between two people or in a closed room. True dialogue occurs when we create a safe space where people’s voices are heard and they become part of the decision-making process. This is where digital media plays a key role, as it is no longer just a means of conveying news; it has become a vehicle for initiating a comprehensive national dialogue. Through it, we can connect local issues—such as education and employment—with national policies, and ensure that the voices of youth are not ignored in the public arena.

Today, digital media is not just a broadcast medium; it is a genuine space for dialogue. Young people have become capable of initiating public discussions about education and work, sharing their experiences, listening to each other, and getting their messages across. A simple example: If the youth of Ajloun are unable to find job opportunities, why don’t they produce digital content—a video, a podcast, or even a hashtag campaign—to raise the issue and open up discussion with relevant stakeholders? This way, the dialogue will no longer be confined to elites; it will become open, everyone will participate, and public pressure will increase.

From local to national

Digital media isn’t a luxury or a side tool; it’s one of the most powerful tools available to young people today to influence and effect change. If we want to raise awareness about education and employment issues, especially in governorates like Ajloun, we must have a strong presence on these platforms, create meaningful content, and initiate broad dialogues. Written policies and plans alone are not enough; change only happens when young people are part of shaping the public debate.

Here, a question arises for discussion: How can digital media transform from a mere news platform into a genuine arena for societal dialogue, one that aligns national policies, including employment and education, with the needs of people on the ground? And how can young people effectively leverage digital content creation to communicate their issues to the public and decision-makers?

Community Entrepreneurship: Youth’s Gateway to Fair Employment Opportunities and Better Education in Rural Areas

Young men and women in Ajloun Governorate face cumulative challenges in employment and education, with the gap between them and their peers in other regions wide and significant. Despite their creative potential, innovative ideas, and quality initiatives, the lack of genuine support and the scarcity of non-formal training, employment, and educational programs leaves them trapped in a reality that doesn’t reflect their capabilities and doesn’t provide them with fair opportunities.

The most prominent challenge lies in the lack of equal opportunities. Young people in Ajloun lack sufficient safe spaces for work and creativity, and they lack opportunities to connect with the labor market, which deepens the marginalization gap and limits their potential.

In this context, community entrepreneurship emerges as a strategic choice, not just a luxury. It is a tool for finding local solutions stemming from the reality of society and its needs. When education is linked to community entrepreneurship, it transforms from mere books and lectures into a living experience encompassing environmental initiatives, extracurricular activities, youth clubs, and entrepreneurial projects led by young people themselves. These initiatives, despite their simplicity, have a direct impact in improving the quality of education and delivering it to marginalized groups.