We now have endless new ways to connect, learn, and share ideas at our fingertips. Digital technology is playing an increasingly important role in our society. While this networked age is often empowering, navigating online environments is challenging.
Children and teenagers are the first generation to have grown up surrounded by digital technology, with more than 90 per cent online every day. It is clear that young people will play a critical role in shaping our digital future; and parents, educators, and policymakers must support the development of their digital literacy.
We are pleased to announce that the Behavioural Insights Team’s Sydney office has partnered with the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF) to design and deliver a program of work that will help young teenagers use communications technology ethically.
VFFF has a long-standing interest in ethical development and in supporting initiatives that equip people with the knowledge, skills and conviction to make considered ethical decisions. This includes supporting the delivery of the Vincent Fairfax Fellowships in Ethical Leadership. In 2016, VFFF ran an extensive working group process to identify a high potential area of focus towards the ethical development of young people. This work led to VFFF setting an ambitious goal to help young teenagers use communications technology ethically, by empowering them to exercise their own moral judgement.
BIT is assembling a consortium to deliver an exciting program of work over the next two years to achieve this goal. The consortium will bring together the knowledge and experience of frontline organisations working with young people, research and industry expert advisors, and an independent evaluator.
The Code for Online Decisions & Ethics (CODE) program will explore the challenges faced by teenagers, parents, and educators, and identify and draw on what works in existing policies and programs. Engagement with young people is at the heart of our approach, and we will work with them to co-design solutions that will change behaviour, and test and evaluate these in the real world.
We are recruiting a Program Support Officer to support the administration and delivery of CODE. The job description can be downloaded here. Candidates should upload their CV and complete their application through Applied.
We are also forming an expert network of community organisations, educators, academics, policymakers, and technology and online communication companies. We are keen to hear from anyone interested in working with us.
For more information about this program of work, opportunities to be involved, or questions about the Program Support Officer role please contact code@bi.team.
