Be Internet Citizens
ISD works with Google and other partners to build young people’s resilience to hate and extremism online.
Social media is shaping the way we view the world and our place in it. Today’s young people are digital natives and have the power to use social media to create positive change.
Be Internet Citizens is a programme for teenagers aged 13–15, delivered in partnership with YouTube Creators for Change, Beatfreeks and expert youth facilitators. Be Internet Citizens aims to increase young people’s digital resilience and citizenship skills by empowering them to stay safe online. It covers topics such as fake news, filter bubbles, ‘us’ vs ‘them’ argument and scapegoating.
The programme includes:
- Interactive school workshops delivered to 150-200 students per workshop. Our latest evaluation shows that 71% of young people felt they would behave differently online as a result of being taught this programme.
- Train the Trainer sessions delivered to teachers and youth workers who are then empowered to deliver the curriculum to their students. This is accompanied by a Unit of Work for teachers and a Community Toolkit for youth workers.
- Flagship training in key locations across the UK, bringing together policymakers, teachers, students and youth workers for a main event to share the power of the programme.
Since 2017, Be Internet Citizens has reached over 35,000 students and teachers across the UK. Our latest impact report shows significant positive increase across all impact measures of knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours, as well as high scores on process related questions around enjoyment and overall impact.
For more information and resources see the Be Internet Citizens website.

Be Internet Citizens training seminar, 2019
Yesterday Google and ISD delivered their superb ‘Internet Citizens’ workshop at @academy_manorc, teaching teenagers about media literacy, critical thinking and digital citizenship. Very thought provoking stuff!Paula Sherriff MP, Shadow Minister for Health
ISD’s Education team

Jennie King
Senior Policy Manager, Technology, Communications & Education

Jennie King
Senior Policy Manager, Technology, Communications & Education

Josh Phillips
Manager, Technology, Communications & Education

Josh Phillips
Manager, Technology, Communications & Education

Henry Tuck
Head of Policy & Research

Henry Tuck
Head of Policy & Research