If you care about children and young people's use of digital technologies and helping them to navigate the digital world successfully, safely, and in a way which adds to rather than detracts from their lives, then Digital Tweens is for you! Whether you are a parent, a school leader, a teacher, or you engage with children and young people in other contexts, you can make a massive difference in their lives, digital and beyond.
Despite our organisation's name, we are not just focused on 9- to 12-year-olds. We are passionate about seeing great outcomes for children and young people of all ages. However, we do believe that the tweens phase presents a unique opportunity to set them up for success in the digital world and better equipped for the teenage years and onwards into adulthood. Tweens are awesome, and despite their natural eagerness for more independence, they still need and want the support and guidance of the adults around them. They are eager to learn, experience new things and to develop capability - this is true online as well as in the non-digital aspects of their lives.
Currently most children get their first smartphone before the age 13. At Digital Tweens, we believe that getting a smartphone kick starts an important digital transition towards becoming constantly and independently connected online, anytime, anywhere, from a powerful device that fits in your pocket. We describe this period of transition as digital puberty.
Digital technology, including the smartphone, is not inherently bad, but children and young people need and deserve our support and guidance as they develop the knowledge, skills and character to successfully integrate its use into their lives. Digital technologies, when used well, enrich our lives, enhance our wellbeing and support us in achieving our goals and aspirations. However, without the necessary ongoing guidance and support, tweens are particularly vulnerable online, which in turn can negatively impact their wider lives, wellbeing and development.
Digital Tweens is committed to supporting children and young people to thrive in the digital world. We do this by working with them to increase their knowledge, understanding and skills and empower them with strategies to build positive digital habits. We also work with parents, school staff and the wider community to ensure they are best placed to support children and young people to maximise the opportunities of digital technologies whilst managing the risks to minimise harm.
