The Digital Child in Tasmania

How do we ensure that every child and young person has the opportunity to participate safely, confidently, and meaningfully in a digital world?

Digital technologies shape how children learn, connect, create, and participate in society. Yet young people from low-socioeconomic, culturally diverse, and geographically remote communities are among Australia's most digitally excluded, facing barriers to both opportunity and participation in an increasingly digital world.

Digital literacy and inclusion are linked to a range of social and economic benefits. Despite this, digital exclusion continues to affect many Tasmanians, with digital inclusion and capability identified as key priorities through the Digital Tasmania 2026-2031 Strategy.

Digital inclusion is about more than access to devices, internet connectivity, and affordability. It requires a coordinated, system-wide approach that enables children and young people to access digital opportunities safely, develop the skills and confidence to thrive online, and participate fully in their communities and society. Addressing digital exclusion is therefore not only a matter of technology access, but also of equity, wellbeing, safety, and children and young people's rights.

Join children and young people, educators, community organisations, researchers, and policymakers to explore how we can build a more inclusive digital future for Tasmania's children and young people.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Explore innovative local and national initiatives that are strengthening digital capability, online safety and wellbeing, and participation.

• Hear directly from children and young people about their experiences, priorities, and the changes they want to see.

• Hear from a panel of leaders in community organisations, academia, and government on priorities and opportunities to strengthen digital inclusion, literacy, and safety across Tasmania.

• Connect with colleagues, share ideas, and build new partnerships.

This is a free event, but registration is essential. Refreshments will be served during the showcase and networking sessions.

Do you have a project, innovation, program, or resource that supports digital inclusion, literacy, safety, or wellbeing for children and young people?

We're inviting organisations, schools, community groups, researchers, and practitioners to showcase their work as part of this event. Whether you'd like to display a banner, host a stand, screen a video, or demonstrate resources or activities, we'd love to hear from you. There is no cost to participate.

To express your interest, please contact Ruth Steel at the Peter Underwood Centre on ruth.steel@utas.edu.au

The Digital Child in Tasmania event is presented in partnership by the Peter Underwood Centre for Educational Attainment at the University of Tasmania, the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child.