Overview
This is a guide to help young people feel more confident using the digital world. Being online and using social media are big parts of life for most young people. Sometimes it can be tricky, or even risky, but it can also be useful and fun when used the right way. We don’t believe the answer is to avoid technology or only talk about the bad stuff. Instead, we think it’s important to help young people build the skills to handle the digital world in a smart, safe, and positive way. After all, most young people are online already whether adults are helping them or not.
We know that digital technology can feel confusing or overwhelming at times, so that’s why we made this toolkit. To give young people a simple and helpful way to learn more. By the end, we hope you’ll feel more confident using digital tools and see how they can be a great way to support young people’s wellbeing.
DISCLAIMER: This guide does not follow the current national curriculum for PHSE. It is our youth views on digital education, digital literacy, media literacy, and digital wellbeing.
What is digital intelligence?
Digital intelligence is all about being smart, safe, and responsible when using technology and the internet. It’s about having the skills and knowledge to understand, use, and make good choices in the digital world. Learning about digital intelligence helps young people become competent, confident, and responsible digital citizens.
Digital intelligence is built on three key pillars:
Digital Literacy
Using technology effectively
Technical Skills: Use devices, apps, and platforms with confidence.
Information Skills: Search, evaluate, and use digital information wisely.
Communication: Connect and collaborate online using proper etiquette.
Content Creation: Make and share digital content ethically.
Computational Thinking: Understand how digital systems work and solve problems.
Digital media and information
Thinking critically online
Check the Facts: Spot fake news, bias, and unreliable sources.
Understand Media: Know how media shapes what we see and think.
Manage Info: Stay organised and avoid information overload.
Use Ethically: Respect copyright, give credit, and protect privacy.
Digital citizenship
Behaving responsibly online
Stay Safe: Protect your data and avoid scams.
Be Respectful: Communicate kindly and prevent cyberbullying.
Know Your Rights: Understand digital laws and responsibilities.
Balance Your Life: Manage screen time and protect your wellbeing.
Be a Good Digital Citizen: Participate positively and protect your online reputation.
Let’s dive in!
References
This guide has been compiled after consulting a wide range of resources, including:
UK Safer Internet Centre, Internet Matters, UK Council for Safer Internet, the Children’s Commissioner, NSPCC, Childline, Childnet.com, ParentZone, BBC Bitesize, SWGfL, Digital Futures for Children, Common Sense Media, Ofcom, and Aye Mind Toolkit (NHS Scotland).
The concept of Digital Nutrition was taken from the Digital Nutrition project (summer 2024) by Dr Kaitlyn Regehr, Dr Caitlin Shaughnessy and Dr Katharine Smales, which highlighted gaps in digital literacy. The need for a broad and youth-informed digital education is now:
Thiagarajan, T. C., Newson, J. J., & Swaminathan, S. (20 July 2025). Protecting the Developing Mind in a Digital Age: A Global Policy Imperative:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19452829.2025.2518313
⟶ “Require mandatory education on digital literacy and mental health”
The Communications and Digital Committee Media Literacy Report (28 July 2025):
https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/170/communications-and-digital-committee/news/208665/failure-to-prioritise-media-literacy-in-the-uk-presents-a-risk-to-social-cohesion-and-democracy/
⟶ “Embed media literacy across the national curriculum, raise public awareness, and demand more from platforms”
Useful Resources
For further information on digital wellbeing:
FlippGen - www.flippgen.com
Logging Off Club - www.loggingoffclub.substack.com
5Rights - www.5rightsfoundation.com
If you want to talk and/or text:
Childline - www.Childline.org.uk - 0800 1111
The Mix - www.themix.org.uk
Shout - www.giveuseashout.org
Text ‘THEMIX’ or ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
NSPCC - www.nspcc.org.uk
Youth Mental Health Charities:
Young Minds - www.youngminds.org.uk
Beyond - www.wearebeyond.org.uk
For guidance or support on suicide prevention:
R;pple - www.ripplesuicideprevention.com
Papyrus - www.papyrus-uk.org
CALM - www.thecalmzone.net
Molly Rose Foundation - www.mollyrosefoundation.org
Samaritans - www.samaritans.org - 116 123
For guidance or support on Image Based Sexual Abuse (revenge porn):
www.revengepornhelpline.org.uk - 0345 6000 459
www.notyourporn.com