WAGGGS and Norton have won a Gold Award for our Surf Smart 2.0 online safety programme.
We are delighted to have won the Best Educational Programme category in the 2022 Corporate Engagement Awards (CEA), which recognises the most successful and innovative corporate partnerships. It’s a much deserved recognition of the work of over 550,000 girls and young women in 44 countries worldwide, learning to keep themselves and their friends safe online and becoming good cyber citizens, using technology to speak out for equal digital rights for all.
This work has never been more vital. A 2020 Plan International study found that 58% of girls had experienced online harassment. A move online during the pandemic hugely increased the risk. UK charity NSPCC’s 2022 study found an 80% rise in cases of online grooming.
Surf Smart 2.0: Generation Digital is a badge programme co-created with Norton. The curriculum incorporates the WAGGGS method of non-formal education and includes five main activity sections which have been developed for girls aged 5-25.
We know the activities make a real difference. From our evaluations, following the completion of the programme, 90% of participants reported knowing where to get help if they feel uncomfortable or at risk online, and 97% feel confident and able to act as advocates and share what they have learned with others. 98% felt more able to identify if something is dangerous online.
“I think it is super important and empowering to have this power as a leader to help young people to realise how much of an impact they can have on the lives of others online, and how they can positively contribute to change online, while being aware of the risks and protecting themselves.” Elise, Guides du France
Get involved!
- WAGGGS Member Organisations wishing to roll out Surf Smart should apply to the Surf Smart fund. Grants of up to £8000 GBP are available! Apply now.
- Girl Guide and Girl Scout groups can download Surf Smart (in 4 WAGGGS languages) right now. Send your stories and pictures of how you’ve been involved to prerana.shakya@wagggs.org and tag #SurfSmart in your social media. We’d love to hear from you!
- Find out more about WAGGGS' corporate partnerships and how to register your interest in partnering with us.
Thank you
We’d like to say a huge thank you to our fantastic long-term partner Norton, who have provided invaluable professional support in developing the Surf Smart 2.0 curriculum. This successful partnership is now in its third phase, and we are aiming to reach an additional 200,000 girls and young women by December 2024.
Huge well done and thank you to all those trainers, leaders, girls and young women who’ve been involved in Surf Smart and sharing how to #BeTheChangeOnline. Keep it up!