Save the Children has unveiled an innovative digital literacy guide aimed at families and schools, focusing on the education of children aged 5 to 8. Titled "Educare al digitale tra i 5 e gli 8 anni - Tracce educative per docenti e genitori," this guide is part of the Safer Internet Centre (SIC) project, highlighting the urgent need to equip youngsters with the necessary skills to navigate the digital world thoughtfully.
Understanding the reality of digital engagement starting at such tender ages—through video games, streaming apps, and video calls—the guide emphasizes the importance of early education on safe and responsible digital usage. It reflects the awareness of how integral technology has become to children’s lives and underlines the necessity of collaborative efforts between schools and families.
The development of this resource involved close coordination with the Ministry of Education and was co-financed by the European Commission, aligning with broader European goals for fostering a "Better Internet for Kids." This strategic approach aims to build educational alliances between educators and parents, smoothing the transition children face as they move from preschool to primary school.
According to the guide, "La responsabilità è l’atteggiamento che connota la competenza digitale," emphasizing how digital competence encompasses much more than technical skills. It fundamentally involves the ability to interact with technology thoughtfully and respectfully.
The guide dedicates significant space to children's digital rights, drawing on the UN's 2021 General Comment 25, which extends children's rights to the digital environment. It also introduces the Digital Services Act, which took effect in 2024, establishing new regulations to protect minors online from inappropriate content and other risks associated with early internet exposure.
For teachers, the guide presents concrete teaching insights aimed at cultivating digital skills relevant to today’s classroom. This aligns with the European Digital Competence Framework for citizens (DigComp 2.2) and the Italian Law 92/2019 on civic education, which recognizes digital citizenship as one of its three fundamental pillars.
Parents, on the other hand, are provided with practical strategies for establishing effective rules for digital device use within the home. The guide stresses the importance of adult role models and covers topics such as "sharenting" (the excessive sharing of children's images on social media) and online privacy protection. One innovative suggestion includes creating a “box to collect and discuss online experiences,” which can stimulate family conversations about digital life.
For educators, the guide also proposes engaging activities like the creation of interactive digital books, exploration through online maps, and utilizing sound banks to enliven lessons. These strategies are crafted to promote the adoption of school ePolicies, which define measures for safe and responsible technology use.
"Il digitale a scuola non deve essere un mero supporto accessorio con una fruizione passiva o occasionale ma diventare un vero strumento educativo integrato nell’attività didattica," highlights the guide. This statement underlines the necessity for digital tools to become genuine educational instruments, fostering active and cooperative engagement from students.
Through its comprehensive approach, Save the Children’s guide provides not only educational content for teachers but also actionable advice for parents, aiming to create sustained continuity and dialogue between educational institutions and families. Such cooperation is viewed as pivotal for success, especially on matters as complex as digital engagement.
By empowering both educators and families with the necessary resources, this guide endeavors to promote digital literacy and prepare the next generation for safe, responsible, and informed participation in the digital world. With technology increasingly defining the environments children grow up in, such initiatives play a fundamental role in shaping their future.
The publication is readily accessible on Save the Children’s website, marking another significant step forward toward ensuring children’s safety and empowerment within the digital ecosystem.