Promoting a sense of digital citizenship for all.

Virtually safe is an initiative of Teens Can Code, an organization helping to expand access to technology education for young people. As we set on our mission of leaving no one behind in providing digital skills, we started considering how to help realize young people’s rights in the digital environment we expose them to, while promoting the effective and safer use of the internet through a sustained information and awareness strategy targeting young people, parents and educators.

Protecting young people is not only a moral obligation but it’s also good business to support their healthy and happy development. It is upon us to ensure that we provide a path towards a sustainable future for all. For that to happen, parents, teachers, legislators, the private sector and other stakeholders must ensure that children can fulfill their potential by building a safe, trusted and inclusive online environment. We know that it takes a village to keep children safe both online and offline. Therefore, we count on all the stakeholders to prioritize young people, collaborate and generate collective actions to prevent and address all forms of violence, abuse and exploitation of young people online.

Our goal is clear, to keep young people safe online. But that’s easier said than done. That’s why we convene leaders of industries, government, law enforcement agencies, non-profit and for-profit sectors to start conversations, advocate, collaborate and innovate new solutions and policies in the field of online safety. We create educational programs, events, develop and disseminate resources for young internet users, parents and educators, these resources help teachers start weekly online safety clubs in their schools. We also support schools in developing child-friendly policies and guidance on online safety. We train a network of volunteers with extensive knowledge of technology to train others in their local communities, we provide volunteers with curriculums and kits to support their communities. We identify and select young people in secondary education level through an application process and empower them to become online safety ambassadors through a year long fellowship program. With the help of our partners we are able to give access to the tools and resources needed to help young people stay safe online.