Youth Leadership as an Ethical Imperative in Cybersecurity Governance

The expansion of cyberspace has generated complex and interdependent risks that exceed purely technical or state-centric solutions. This paper conceptualizes cybersecurity as a wicked problem characterized by uncertainty, contested values, and distributed responsibility, requiring adaptive and ethically grounded governance. Integrating wicked problem theory, cyber ethics, and youth leadership, the study argues that digital resilience depends not only on infrastructure protection but also on moral agency, shared norms, and responsible practices of digital actors. It advances youth leadership as a strategic governance asset, challenging narratives that frame young people merely as vulnerable users of cyberspace. Using research from different fields and the Together for a New Africa (T4NA) initiative, the analysis redefines cyberspace sovereignty as a shared responsibility that involves working together with various groups. The paper concludes that empowering youth as present-day ethical leaders strengthens the legitimacy, inclusivity, and sustainability of cybersecurity governance in an increasingly interconnected digital world.