Digital Citizenship and Entrepreneurship Camp for kids

Kids Digital Citizenship and Entrepreneurship Camp Background In an era dominated by digital technology, it's paramount that the younger generation is equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely and effectively. The increase in screen time, alongside the opportunities and risks presented by the internet, calls for comprehensive education on digital well-being and safety. 2020 - 2030 has been declared as the Decade for Internet Safety for kids by EU Commission. According to Child Online Safety Index 2023, more than 60% kids from 8-18 years old experience at least one cyber risks, while Finland score for parents support, school education and company responsibility are below global average. This requires reconsideration of how we can support educate kids and families better in these areas. Furthermore, nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age can empower children to innovate and solve problems creatively, especially digital citizenship competencies including using technology as a tool for creative problem-solving and creating values. This camp will help tackle this gap and help empower youths with these essential skills before the summer time starts that can give them a safer summer time online and inspire them to become more active digital citizens. Objective This camp aims to:

• Educate children aged 7-12 on digital well-being and safety: Providing them with the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions online.
• Introduce basic concepts of entrepreneurship: Encouraging creative thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to recognize opportunities with usage of basic digital creative tools.
• Promote family digital well-being habits: Engaging activities and discussions designed to foster healthy digital habits that children can share with their families.

Duration and Location

• Duration: 3-5 days, with activities scheduled from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM afternoon. Tentatively Jun 10 - Jun 14 or May 20-24
• Location: Business Assema (Tentative) - A suitable venue that can accommodate interactive workshops, group activities, and secure internet access for digital learning sessions.

Program Overview Day 1: Introduction to Digital Well-being and Safety

• Healthy Digital Habits: Discussing screen time management and the importance of balancing online and offline activities.
• Digital Literacy Basics: Understanding the internet, browsers, and safe searching, media bias
• Cyber Safety: Recognizing and avoiding online risks such as cyberbullying, hate speech, phishing, and sharing personal information.

Day 2 & 3: Hands-on Digital Well-being and Entrepreneurship Workshops

• AI Literacy: introduction to basic concepts of AI, usage of generative AI and responsible usage of AI for learning, recognizing risks and influence of AI in daily life.
• Interactive Workshops: Sessions on creating digital content responsibly, understanding digital footprints, and privacy settings.
• Entrepreneurship for Kids: Basic concepts of starting a business, identifying problems and brainstorming solutions, and the importance of perseverance and creativity.
• Group Projects: Children will work in groups to come up with a simple business idea that solves a problem in their community, considering digital well-being. They will use digital tools such as Canva, AI tools to create posters and prototypes of their product ideas.

Day 4: Family Digital Well-being + Market Place

• Parent-Child Sessions: Workshops designed to educate parents and children on setting up a family media plan, discussing digital etiquette, and strategies for monitoring and managing digital activities.
• Presentations: Children present their group projects, showcasing their entrepreneurial ideas and demonstrating their understanding of digital well-being in a marketplace where they can pitch and “sell" their products to visitors.

Day 5: Reflection and Future Steps

• Group Reflection: Reflecting on the week's learning, discussing how to apply these concepts at home, and staying safe online.
• Certificates and Awards: Recognizing participation and achievements, with special awards for creativity and problem-solving in the entrepreneurship projects.

Expected Outcomes

• Children leave the camp with a comprehensive understanding of digital safety, an appreciation for the importance of digital well-being, and a basic grasp of entrepreneurship.
• Participants will be empowered to implement healthy digital habits within their families, promoting a culture of digital well-being at home.
• The camp will spark an interest in entrepreneurship, encouraging children to think creatively and problem-solve in various aspects of their lives.

Logistics and Registration

• Detailed information on the venue, registration process, fees, and contact information for inquiries.
• Highlighting the qualifications of facilitators and the safety measures in place to ensure a secure and productive environment for all participants.

Conclusion This camp represents a unique opportunity to shape the digital citizens of tomorrow, ensuring they are prepared, protected, and proactive in the ever-evolving digital landscape. By fostering a foundation of digital well-being, safety, and entrepreneurial thinking, we are investing in a future where children not only thrive online but also contribute positively to their communities and the wider world.