Digital life shapes how young people learn, connect, communicate and take part in the world. Youth work plays a vital role in helping young people navigate this space confidently, safely and creatively. Over the past year, YouthLink Scotland brought the sector together around digital skills, cyber resilience, online safety and digital inclusion, supporting both practitioners and young people.
In May 2024, YouthLink Scotland launched research exploring what young people think about cyber resilience and online safety. Young people were clear that youth work has a role in helping them stay safe and make informed choices online.
This work was funded by the Scottish Government Cyber Resilience Unit.
With support from the Include Plus Network, YouthLink Scotland explored how digital youth work can help reduce the digital divide. Groups from OYCI Tillicoultry and The Datakirk worked with Abertay University to design and build their own digital games.
The project demonstrated how game design can support creativity, confidence and access to digital skills.
Young people’s phone use is a major national and international conversation. YouthLink Scotland explored the topic at:
These discussions focused on online harm, tech addiction, attention capture, and the role youth work can play in helping young people develop healthy digital habits.
"How young people use their mobile phones is a hot topic at the moment. Questions are being chewed over, not just in Scotland, but across the world, about how to protect children and young people – from both online harms and from the big tech companies intent on soaking up their time and directing their interests."
Hilary Phillips, Digital Youth Work Lead at YouthLink Scotland
Developed with Fife College, the Youth Work Data Course offers around 30 hours of SCQF Level 6 learning on how to understand and use data in youth work.
The course supports youth workers and managers to make informed decisions and strengthen evaluation, planning and funding applications.
Participant feedback highlighted its relevance and accessibility:
“It gives you the knowledge on the importance of data in youth work, especially when evaluating or collecting information for funding.”
Circuit Scotland is a youth-designed digital project led by YMCA Scotland, with YouthLink Scotland as a partner.
A team of care-experienced young people shaped everything from branding to programme design, creating a safe and creative digital space for care-experienced young people.
This year saw:
On 11 February 2025, YouthLink Scotland hosted the fourth Digital Youth Work Conference on Safer Internet Day.
The event was fully booked two weeks in advance, with 110 participants, including many young people.
The event was supported by the Scottish Government Cyber Resilience Unit and Sopra Steria, enabling it to be free for participants.
Highlights included:
This year showed how central digital life is to young people, and how important youth work is in helping them navigate it safely, confidently and creatively. YouthLink Scotland’s work supported young people to develop digital skills, build resilience and understand the online world, while helping practitioners respond to rapid technological change.
This work strengthens digital inclusion, supports safer online experiences and ensures young people can take part in the digital world on their own terms.