In November, something remarkable happened. Be Internet Legends reached its 10 millionth child – almost 70% of a generation trained in online safety and media literacy since 2018.
But here’s what matters most: you did this. Teachers who downloaded curriculum resources. Schools who hosted assemblies. Educators who saw the need for media literacy long before it became a policy priority.
You were ahead of the curve.
The government’s recent response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review acknowledges what you already knew: “Media literacy and the skills for young people to critically engage with and assess information from a range of sources is increasingly important.”
With citizenship becoming compulsory in primary and media literacy now firmly on the government’s agenda, there’s recognition that young people need to “think critically and act thoughtfully, armed with the digital, financial and media literacy they need to thrive in the modern world.”
Recognition is important. But you’ve been doing this work all along.
Making it work in practice
Teachers like Dan Veal at Brickhill Primary School in Bedfordshire show what’s possible when schools embrace media literacy as empowerment, not fear.
Dan trained as an Everyday Digital practitioner and transformed his school’s approach. He now shares Everyday Digital updates with parents fortnightly to avoid overwhelming them, as well as using the positive messaging and practical tools to keep the conversation going. The resources also allow teachers who were previously wary of technology to lead digital literacy conversations.
“This programme isn’t just about digital safety,” Dan says. “It’s about empowering families and showing that tech can be a force for good.”
One teacher. Dozens of families reached. That’s the multiplication effect you create every day.
We’ll keep supporting you
Ten million children. Over 63,000 curriculum downloads. More than 3,000 assemblies. Thousands of teachers making media literacy real in their classrooms.
Policy recognition matters, but what matters more is having the resources and support to deliver this essential work. We’ll continue developing evidence-based programmes that work in your settings – whether that’s Be Internet Legends, Everyday Digital, Be Internet Citizens or whatever comes next.
From everyone at Parent Zone, thank you for being ahead of the curve. Thank you for seeing the need before the policy caught up. Thank you for every conversation, every lesson, every moment you’ve helped young people think critically about the digital world.
Whether you’ve used Be Internet Legends, Everyday Digital, or found your own favourite ways to teach media literacy – you’re making this happen. We’re here to support that work, wherever it takes us.
