Youth Leaders Program
Empower young people to become digital safety champions among their peers
Why Become a Youth Leader?
As a Digital Guardians Youth Leader, you'll gain valuable leadership skills while making a real difference in your community. Young people often learn best from their peers, and your voice can reach those who might not listen to adults.
Leadership Development
Build public speaking, teaching, and mentoring skills that will serve you throughout life
Official Certification
Earn recognized credentials that enhance college applications and resumes
Community Impact
Make a real difference by educating peers about digital safety
National Network
Connect with other youth leaders across the country
Program Requirements
Training Journey
Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-4)
Digital Safety Fundamentals
- Comprehensive overview of digital safety topics
- Understanding online threats and risks
- Privacy protection and security best practices
- Social media safety and digital citizenship
Phase 2: Leadership Skills (Weeks 5-8)
Teaching and Communication
- Public speaking and presentation skills
- Peer education techniques
- Active listening and empathy building
- Conflict resolution and difficult conversations
Phase 3: Practical Application (Weeks 9-12)
Hands-On Experience
- Developing workshop content for different age groups
- Creating engaging presentations and activities
- Observing experienced ambassadors
- Co-facilitating practice sessions
Phase 4: Certification (Weeks 13-16)
Assessment and Launch
- Knowledge assessment
- Facilitation demonstration
- Peer and mentor feedback
- Official certification ceremony
What You'll Learn
Core Topics
- Identifying fake news and misinformation
- Recognizing phishing and scams
- Understanding deepfakes
- Password security and account protection
- Privacy settings and data protection
- Cyberbullying prevention and response
Teaching Skills
- Lesson planning and content development
- Engaging presentation techniques
- Facilitating group discussions
- Using interactive activities and games
- Adapting content for different ages
- Handling challenging questions
Leadership Competencies
- Effective communication
- Building trust and rapport
- Mentoring and peer support
- Project management basics
- Team collaboration
- Self-reflection and continuous improvement
Ambassador Activities
As a certified Youth Leader, you can participate in various activities:
- School Presentations: Lead workshops in your own or partner schools
- Community Events: Staff information booths at local events
- Online Content: Create educational content for social media
- Peer Mentoring: One-on-one support for students with questions
- Parent Workshops: Co-facilitate family education sessions
- New Ambassador Training: Help train the next cohort of leaders
- Advocacy Projects: Develop campaigns for specific safety issues
Testimonials
Youth leader testimonials coming soon!
Check back later to read inspiring stories from our youth ambassadors.
Benefits and Recognition
Official Recognition
- Digital Guardians Youth Leader certificate
- Letter of recommendation upon request
- Volunteer hour documentation
- LinkedIn endorsement
Professional Development
- Resume-building experience
- Public speaking practice
- Teaching portfolio
- Leadership references
Community & Support
- Private online community
- Monthly virtual meetups
- Annual leadership summit
- Mentorship from adult advisors
Resources & Tools
- Complete teaching materials
- Digital resource library
- Ambassador toolkit
- Ongoing training opportunities
Application Process
- Submit Application: Complete the online application form (15-20 minutes)
- Parent Consent: Obtain parent/guardian signature on consent form
- Interview: Participate in a brief virtual interview (30 minutes)
- Selection: Applications reviewed within 2 weeks
- Onboarding: Join the next training cohort
Next Training Cohort:
Applications open quarterly. Next cohort starts: [Date TBD]
Limited spots available - apply early!