Reem Bassem Khoder

We are building a digital shield to ensure that the internet remains a space of opportunity, not a place of fear, for every child.

Reem Bassem Khoder (14), is from Lebanon. Reem noticed that many of her friends in Lebanon were spending more time online without knowing how to stay safe — facing risks like privacy issues and digital fatigue. She believed children have a right to enjoy technology without putting themselves at risk, and that belief became her project: “The Digital Shield.”

Reem organized awareness workshops for her peers, covering their rights to both education and safety. She created social media content to educate youth, including a PowerPoint presentation, an informative video, and a Google Form survey — all designed to teach responsible internet use.

Her project achieved impressive engagement, with all 37 students in the 8th and 9th grades taking part in her Online Safety survey. Beyond digital safety, Reem also joined a donation drive that provided school supplies to underprivileged children.

With her principal, teachers, and school coordinators giving her the time and space to lead, Reem turned her concern for her friends into a project that made her whole school safer online.

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