PROJECT ROCKIT’s Post

The internet serves as an invaluable portal to education and a plethora of opportunities, yet it is disheartening to recognize that approximately 2.7 billion individuals around the world remain without access to this essential resource. This digital divide highlights the urgent need to promote digital literacy and expand connectivity to underserved communities. Access to the internet can transform lives by providing educational resources, opening up new economic opportunities, and fostering social connections. For instance, in regions where internet access is limited, students are often deprived of the vast array of online educational materials and courses that can enhance their learning and skill development. Moreover, entrepreneurs in these areas miss out on the chance to reach a global market and innovate beyond geographical constraints. By advocating for digital equality and striving to bridge this gap, we can empower these communities, ensuring that everyone has the chance to participate in the digital economy and benefit from the knowledge economy. Let us come together to make digital inclusion a reality for all. #DigitalEquality #BridgingTheGap

🌟 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝟱 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘅 🌟 We've just released the first-ever Australian Youth Digital Index (AYDI)! Our comprehensive report dives into the digital lives of over 4,700 young Australians aged 8 to 25. Here's some of what stood out for us. 𝟭. 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱: Young Aussies are confident and proactive in their digital interactions, with 94% feeling safe online. 𝟮. 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗮𝗽𝘀: Access to technology varies, with nearly 1.2 million young people lacking essential learning devices. 𝟯. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: Cost-of-living pressures impact connectivity, with many relying on expensive mobile data. 𝟰. 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲: Most young people feel in control of their screen time but acknowledge the need for balance. 𝟱. 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀: Young Australians are not just users but also tech teachers in their households. We've shared a range of insights and blogs to support the release of the ADYI, you'll find them all on our website. Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/gVt7EK6b #YouthDigitalIndex #DigitalInclusion #TelstraFoundation #DigitalFuture

Launched on Wednesday, Telstra Foundation’s Australian Youth Digital Index reveals how adaptable, resourceful, and aware young Australians are in the digital world. Yet it also reveals the need for targeted support and resources to ensure every young person thrives in this ever-evolving digital landscape. Check out our top 5 takeaways.

🙌 There is power in data, being able to tell a story and also inform the way we move forward with projects and programs. If you haven’t heard about the Index, check it out.

👏🏼 Exciting News from the Telstra Foundation! 🚀 Today marks the launch of the Australian Youth Digital Index – a groundbreaking resource that helps us understand how digital technology shapes the lives of the first generation to grow up digital. This open-access tool is designed for community groups, governments, educators and young people to tap into the full data set and amplify the voices of our youth. It aligns perfectly with Telstra’s mission - creating a more inclusive, supportive, and empowering digital experience for young Australians. Key Insights from the Index: 📱 61% of young people say social media is a positive experience, and 67% say being online helps them stay in touch with friends they’d otherwise lose contact with. 🛑 81% are aware of the permanence of their online actions, leading to greater caution in how they share and engage. 👩💻 Girls are more confident with digital tasks but less likely than boys to pursue careers using advanced digital skills. 🎓 75% agree that digital skills are essential for their future career. 📚 19% of young people lack access to a learning device at home—a challenge we need to address as a community. 🧠 85% of young people are self-taught in digital skills, often stepping up as IT support for their parents and families! These insights highlight both opportunities and challenges as we work together to empower young people in the digital world. Dive into the Australian Youth Digital Index for more details: 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/gk_yV3cw #DigitalInclusion #YouthEmpowerment #YoungLivesMatter #VoiceofTheYouth

Can we CLICK our way to a sustainable future? ‘From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,’ - International Youth Day’s theme for this year, forefronts the need to contextualise youth work in the digital world. We swipe right on that! Amidst other digital innovations for young people, we recently designed UnDecide— a digital safe space where young people could openly share their thoughts, questions, and challenges with each other. Careers, relationships, or just figuring out the many confusions of being a young person today, UnDecide provided a supportive online environment for them to explore their options. Over 200 conversations across 16 states showed us how much this space was needed. What We Learned from UnDecide: -       DIGITAL SAFE SPACE: Human connections can be found digitally too! These online interactions helped participants feel heard and validated. They felt comfortable sharing their thoughts without fear of judgment. -       DIVERSE VOICES, STRONGER CHOICES: By connecting with people from different backgrounds and generations, participants could consider multiple perspectives, leading to better, more informed decisions. -       NAVIGATING CONFUSIONS: Many young people found clarity through the platform, gaining the confidence to make decisions about their careers, relationships, and more, even without having to engage in-person. At a time when the youth is spending a lot of their time online, with the right support, today’s informed clicks can indeed lead to tomorrow’s progress. What’s a digital learning tool that YOU’ve been using lately? Whether it’s at work or in personal life - tell us in the comments. Let’s use THIS digital space to chat, shall we? Oh, and a very happy #InternationalYouthDay to all you beautiful youth workers!

Creating UnDecide as a digital safe space to address the real need for young people to find support and clarity amidst life’s uncertainties. The takeaways show just how impactful well-designed online platforms can be. This is a great example of how clicks can truly drive progress. Looking forward to seeing how these insights will continue to influence youth development in the digital age.

Breaking Barriers by supporting Digital Upskilling ✨   At Vodafone, we believe in the power of digital skills to transform lives and businesses. That’s why we are dedicated to reducing digital exclusion and breaking down barriers through comprehensive digital upskilling initiatives. Partnering with organizations such as Good Things Foundation, we provide free digital skills support, helping adults earning essential skills and consequently fostering independence.   According to the Lloyds Consumer Digital Index, 6.8 million people in the UK lack essential digital skills, and many don’t have access to necessary devices. Through the support for the Learn My Way initiative and Hi Digital platform, we help over 70,000 people annually improve their digital literacy.   Moreover, our V-Hub platform and business.connected partnership with Enterprise Nation offer free guidance and resources to SMEs, boosting their digital capabilities and productivity.   At Vodafone, we are not just closing the digital divide; we are opening doors to new opportunities. By 2025, we aim to lift 4 million people and businesses out of digital exclusion, fostering a more inclusive digital society. 🌐   Vodafone #DigitalInclusion #DigitalSkills   https://lnkd.in/drnY4d82

What a fantastic honour it has been to be a part of the New South Wales Digital Skills Compact from its inception through to yesterday's landmark pledge signing where 24 of Australia's largest corporate and government employers committed to ensuring that 20 per cent of their entry-level digital hires come from alternative educational pathways. Thank you to Steven Worrall from Microsoft for your remarkable leadership and vision, Laura Hoskins for your inspirational research and ongoing dedication, Accenture Australia, Future Skills Organisation, Patrick Kidd OBE OAM, Sylvia Celima, Jane Artup and Elsa Young for your support in including me in this landmark initiative. 🙏 The 20% Alternative Pathways Pledge is designed to enhance equity and diversity within the digital sector. By 2030, it is expected to: 👍 Add 31,000 workers from diverse backgrounds. 👍 Increase the proportion of women in tech roles by 7%. 👍 Double the representation of First Nations Australians in tech roles. 👍 Boost the share of people with disabilities in tech roles by 4%. The commitment also strengthens the role of VET as a critical pathway into the digital sector, helping to address ongoing skills shortages and raising its profile within the industry. For further details about the pledge and the NSW Digital Compact, visit https://lnkd.in/dHu4DwhV 

Our pals at Telstra Foundation have just released their Australian Youth Digital Index report! It's an annual report that amplifies youth voices and sharing the digital experiences of Australians aged 8 to 25. It shows a snapshot of digital usage, perceptions, attitudes and behaviours, and over time will highlight evolving trends. It's SO useful, and we highly recommend you check it out – particularly anyone that works with youth, or works in the tech space. Read more: https://buff.ly/4f01io5