US Youth Support Gender Equality but Fear Toxic Digital Spaces

The report, "Listening to U.S. Adolescents on Gender & Equality," surveyed over 1,000 youths aged 10-19, uncovering a sharp decline in civic ambition. Interest in running for elected office has dropped to 21%, a 12-point fall since 2018. Researchers found that 42% of older girls currently report poor mental health, significantly outpacing their male peers, while nearly half of all girls avoid expressing opinions online due to potential backlash.

Shanna Marzilli, President and CEO of Plan International USA, warned that these trends pose a direct threat to the future of democracy. To counter this, the organization is relaunching the "Because I Am a Girl" movement. The initiative seeks to stabilize the support systems for young women, which have been strained by years of global crises. Beyond digital safety, the study points to team sports as a vital, yet underutilized, bridge to leadership, noting that girls involved in athletics report higher confidence and better mental health outcomes.