Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 3: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 3: Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 1: Dina Santana Santos, Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Thomas Olsen Aarheim, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Arevik Martirosyan, Civil Society, Eastern European Group
Speaker 4: Oussama Elmerrahi, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 2: Thomas Olsen Aarheim, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Arevik Martirosyan, Civil Society, Eastern European Group
Speaker 4: Oussama Elmerrahi, Civil Society, African Group
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: A roundtable layout with a 60 minute session is best suited for this session as it encourages interactive discussion, audience engagement, and knowledge sharing among diverse stakeholders. Since the session focuses on scaling digital literacy through collaboration, a roundtable setup will allow for dynamic exchanges between speakers and participants, rather than a one way presentation. A 60 minute session provides enough time for speakers to present key insights, while also allowing for meaningful audience participation. This duration ensures that discussions remain focused, engaging, and action oriented without overwhelming participants.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: A roundtable layout with a 60 minute session is best suited for this session as it encourages interactive discussion, audience engagement, and knowledge sharing among diverse stakeholders. Since the session focuses on scaling digital literacy through collaboration, a roundtable setup will allow for dynamic exchanges between speakers and participants, rather than a one way presentation. A 60 minute session provides enough time for speakers to present key insights, while also allowing for meaningful audience participation. This duration ensures that discussions remain focused, engaging, and action oriented without overwhelming participants.
Policy Question(s)
How can education systems integrate digital literacy without adding pressure on teachers and schools?
What safeguards are needed to ensure children’s digital safety while promoting access and inclusion?
How can collaboration between educators, tech leaders, and policymakers make digital literacy accessible to all children, not just those in well resourced areas?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will gain a new perspective on why digital literacy is about more than just technology; it is about empowerment, opportunity, and protection. They will explore real-world strategies to help schools and communities integrate digital literacy at scale, along with a deeper understanding of the digital risks children face and how to address them responsibly. The session will provide practical solutions for expanding digital literacy programs through education, policy, and technology while offering opportunities to collaborate with experts shaping the future of digital education. By challenging traditional thinking on digital literacy, this session will push for urgent action to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has the skills to thrive in a connected world.
SDGs
Description:
Imagine a child entering a digital world where they are expected to learn, connect, and grow, but without the skills to navigate it safely. This is the reality for millions of children today. While technology is reshaping education, most digital literacy programs remain small-scale, fragmented, or out of reach for those who need them most. This session will tackle a pressing question “How do we scale digital literacy for all children, not just the privileged few?” We’ll bring together diverse speakers ranging from youth advocates in children’s education, digital safety experts, and technical professionals to explore how schools and educators can integrate digital literacy into traditional learning, how to protect children from online risks while giving them the freedom to explore and create, and what technical infrastructure is needed to make digital literacy education scalable and sustainable. This isn’t just about teaching kids to use the internet but about ensuring they have the skills to think critically, stay safe, and shape the future of the digital world.
Imagine a child entering a digital world where they are expected to learn, connect, and grow, but without the skills to navigate it safely. This is the reality for millions of children today. While technology is reshaping education, most digital literacy programs remain small-scale, fragmented, or out of reach for those who need them most. This session will tackle a pressing question “How do we scale digital literacy for all children, not just the privileged few?” We’ll bring together diverse speakers ranging from youth advocates in children’s education, digital safety experts, and technical professionals to explore how schools and educators can integrate digital literacy into traditional learning, how to protect children from online risks while giving them the freedom to explore and create, and what technical infrastructure is needed to make digital literacy education scalable and sustainable. This isn’t just about teaching kids to use the internet but about ensuring they have the skills to think critically, stay safe, and shape the future of the digital world.
Expected Outcomes
This session will serve as a call to action for governments, educators, and tech leaders to prioritize digital literacy as a fundamental right. It will present a set of best practices for integrating digital literacy into education systems while ensuring that efforts do not widen the digital divide. By fostering stronger partnerships between the education, safety, and tech sectors, the session aims to drive sustainable, scalable solutions that reach all children. Most importantly, it will push for a shift in thinking, from viewing digital literacy as a privilege to recognizing it as a necessity for every child’s future. This session isn’t just about discussing the problem, it’s about demanding solutions and mobilizing action to ensure that every child, everywhere, is equipped for the digital age.
Hybrid Format: To ensure a seamless and engaging hybrid experience, the session will incorporate interactive elements that actively involve both onsite and online participants. A dedicated online moderator will monitor the virtual chat, relay questions, and ensure remote attendees are fully integrated into the discussion. Live Q&A and polling tools such as Slido will allow participants to submit questions and vote on discussion points in real time. The session will follow a rotating discussion format, where brief speaker presentations are followed by guided discussions to encourage audience participation. Both online and onsite attendees will have opportunities to engage through breakout discussions, interactive chat prompts, and live polls. Accessibility will be prioritized with live captioning and chat features, ensuring inclusive participation. Complementary tools such as Google Docs will enable collaborative brainstorming, while social media hashtags will foster broader engagement hence creating an interactive and immersive experience for all participants.