The Vodafone Foundation is expanding the Digital Wellbeing section of its Generation Next programme with new educational content for students aged 9 to 16, while also launching a new round of free Digital Wellbeing Online Classrooms for primary and secondary school teachers.
The new Generation Next material focuses on issues that are increasingly concerning children and teenagers. With content tailored to different age groups and through experiential, collaborative activities, children gain the knowledge and skills to better understand the digital environment and participate in it safely, responsibly and critically.
For students aged 9 to 12, the new themes focus on digital distraction and self-regulation, accidental exposure to adult content, and influencers and critical thinking. Among other things, children learn to manage their time and digital distractions, respond safely when they encounter inappropriate content, and better assess the information they see on social media.
For those aged 13 to 16, the content addresses more complex contemporary challenges, including cyberbullying, deepfakes and the manipulation of digital content, as well as risks that may be associated with harmful online communities. A dedicated guide for teachers also offers advice on how to approach these subjects in the classroom.
Primary and secondary school teachers can register for the new round of free Digital Wellbeing Online Classrooms, strengthening their preparation on current digital wellbeing issues so that they can discuss with students their relationship with technology, responsible digital participation and the choices they make every day on the internet.
“Digital wellbeing is about more than online safety. It means giving children and educators the right tools, knowledge and opportunities to use technology critically, confidently and responsibly. Through the new Digital Wellbeing content and Generation Next Online Classrooms, we support the school community in responding to the challenges of an ever-evolving digital world”, said Alexandra Papanikolaou, head of the Vodafone Foundation in Greece.
Generation Next is delivered in Greece in partnership with the educational non-profit organisation SciCo - Science Communication and with academic input from Ellinogermaniki Agogi. It is part of the Vodafone Foundation’s European Skills Upload Jr programme, which supports digital learning and wellbeing in schools across Europe by providing students and teachers with digital skills, access to new technologies and training programmes.