This research paper explores the growing need to understand how young people engage with digital platforms in an era where online interaction shapes socialization, learning and civic participation. Despite the rapid expansion of youth-oriented digital environments, there remains limited empirical insight into how these spaces influence behavior, identity, and social values. This study adopts a digital and social ethography approach—derived from the ancient Greek term “ethos” (custom) and graphy (to write). This approach systematically observes and interprets the customs, behaviors and interactions of users in digital environments. This methodological lens allows for the examination of both the constructive and potentially addictive patterns of engagement that characterize contemporary youth participation online. The analysis focuses on globally recognized youth platforms (Global Youth Action, UNICEF Youth Participation, World Youth Forum) and European-level initiatives (European Youth Portal, EPALE, SALTO-YOUTH, Lifelong Learning Platform, Digital Skills & Jobs Platform, EURES, Europass). This study investigates how young users aged 15–35 use these platforms for personal, educational, and social development. Findings reveal that adolescents aged 15–25 primarily use these platforms to develop cognitive and social skills, express emotions and opinions, share content and seek entertainment. Within this group, approximately 30% also participate in quality-of-life improvement campaigns, seek employment, access informational resources and form stable friendships. Gender differences were observed: young women tend to engage more frequently in content-sharing and emotional expression, while young men are more active in skill-building and employment-related activities. In contrast, young adults aged 26–35 mainly utilize these platforms to participate in social improvement initiatives, seek job opportunities, acquire new skills and establish long-term networks. Gender differences are not substantially significant within this age group. Overall, the findings highlight how digital youth platforms function as key notes for understanding generational habits and the evolving social ethos of young people in digital contexts.