The Government has published A Safe, Informed Digital Nation, its Media Literacy Action Plan for 2026–2029, setting out a nationwide effort to strengthen people’s confidence, safety and critical thinking online. The plan outlines how departments across government will work together to tackle misinformation, improve access to trusted information, and ensure that everyone, particularly children and young people, have the skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex digital world.
A significant part of the strategy focuses on the role of education, families, communities and frontline professionals in creating a safer digital environment. It specifically names a commitment to exploring how media literacy can be integrated into training and support for youth workers, with work beginning next month (Ebrill).
This is clear recognition of the vital role youth workers play in supporting young people’s digital lives, from helping them understand how online content shapes their views, to building resilience against harmful misinformation, polarisation, extremism and emerging risks such as AI-generated deepfakes.
”We welcome this recognition and the opportunity to work with government to further develop media literacy training for youth workers. Youth work is pivotal to the ambitions of the National Youth Strategy and the sector is also contributing to the government’s consultation around the impact of digital technology and social media on children’s wellbeing. But as awareness grows around both youth work and online harms, one thing remains constant: the need to support young people as they navigate an increasingly complex and fast‑changing information landscape.
We are living in an unprecedented time where seeing is believing no longer holds true. Deepfake imagery is rising at an extraordinary pace, and echo chambers of harm and hate continue to grow. Youth workers are uniquely positioned to help young people make sense of the digital world - not only because they provide frontline support, but because they are present in the spaces where young people spend their time, including online and extending reach far beyond the school gates where education should not end.
With the right tools, training, and investment, youth workers can continue to have a transformative impact on the wellbeing and digital resilience of young people, both offline and online.”
Bex PinkNational Digital Innovation Lead at National Youth Agency
NYA will be working with partners across the youth, education and digital sectors to explore what this could look like in practice, from strengthened safeguarding frameworks to practical digital education resources tailored for youth settings.
As the Government develops its plans, NYA will continue to champion the expertise of youth workers and the importance of high‑quality youth work in supporting young people to thrive both online and in the real world.
