JA Africa has officially begun implementing the Be Internet Awesome – Africa program, marking a major step forward in equipping children across the continent with essential digital literacy and online safety skills. Delivered in partnership with Google.org, the initiative is empowering children aged 7–12 in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa to navigate the online world safely, responsibly, and with confidence.
Across the continent, this journey came to life during Safer Internet Day week, when participating countries actively engaged students, families, and educators in real time. In places like Ghana, outreach activities took place on the day itself, demonstrating that this work is not theoretical, but already in motion. Practical online safety tips, reflections, and testimonials were shared to encourage safer digital behavior, while students in Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa were reached through both in-person learning experiences and online platforms, including social media. Through these engagements, children built safer digital habits, gained the confidence to speak up, and strengthened their sense of responsible digital citizenship, signaling the beginning of a broader movement toward a safer digital generation in Africa. They are becoming more aware of their online environments.
Through this project, 250,000 children will be reached, 176,000 directly through structured learning experiences and 74,000 indirectly through extended engagement. In addition, 6,000 teachers and educators will be trained to support safe digital learning, while 8,000 parents and caregivers will gain the knowledge needed to guide children’s online experiences. Strategic awareness campaigns, communications, and digital outreach will further expand the program’s reach, indirectly benefiting more than 517,000 people and bringing the total number of children, parents, caregivers, teachers, and educators gaining online safety knowledge to 750,000.
Beyond the classroom: reaching every child
While implementation is focused on select countries, the mission extends far beyond national borders. An open digital platform now provides downloadable learning materials, guides for teachers and parents, and practical activities that enable families, schools, and communities anywhere in Africa to build safer online behaviors. Through the Be Internet Awesome website, children, educators, and caregivers can access trusted resources, explore interactive content, and continue learning beyond the classroom, ensuring that even those outside implementing countries can begin their journey toward safe and confident participation in the digital world.
The official start of Be Internet Awesome – Africa represents more than the start of a program; it signals a growing commitment to a future where children explore the internet with wisdom, parents guide digital experiences with confidence, educators nurture responsible digital citizens, and communities champion online safety and kindness. Together with partners and young people across the continent, JA Africa is helping shape a digital future that is not only connected, but safe, inclusive, and full of possibility.
To learn more, visit the Be Internet Awesome website below to access downloadable materials and resources designed to help children stay safe online, support parents and teachers in guiding digital behavior, and build responsible digital citizenship across communities.
