Vodafone Foundation and TOG Launch Digital Buddy Project for Children

Ender Öztürk

September 15, 2026

The Vodafone Turkey Foundation and the Community Volunteers Foundation (TOG) have officially launched the “Digital Buddy” (Dijital Dostum) project, an initiative designed to foster safer and more balanced online habits among primary and middle school students. By integrating practical digital literacy into the formal education system, the project aims to equip 5,000 students across seven Turkish provinces with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the virtual world. Through this collaborative effort, the organizations address the growing concerns regarding children’s digital well-being, focusing on early intervention to mitigate risks such as cyberbullying and excessive screen time in an increasingly connected society.

Digital Well-Being Concerns Require Urgent Attention

As children grow up in a hyper-connected environment, the lines between their physical and digital lives often become blurred. Research conducted by the Global Vodafone Foundation in partnership with Save The Children highlights a concerning trend: only one out of every four children feels their digital life quality is good. The remaining majority frequently reports significant struggles, including disrupted sleep patterns, heightened stress levels, and a lack of boundaries regarding online activity. These challenges underscore the necessity for structured guidance, which the Digital Buddy initiative provides through the Vodafone Group Foundation’s SkillsuploadJr. program. By focusing on practical, actionable knowledge, the program encourages children to recognize cyber risks early and maintain healthier digital boundaries.

Peer Mentorship Models Facilitate Learning

Unlike traditional, didactic teaching methods, the Digital Buddy project utilizes an interactive, game-based learning model that promotes active participation. The program is implemented in schools by young volunteers from the Community Volunteers Foundation, who have undergone specialized training to serve as facilitators. This peer-to-peer approach is designed to help students build empathy and internalize safe digital habits more effectively. By interacting with mentors who are closer to their own age group, students find it easier to engage in open discussions about their online experiences and the challenges they face in digital environments.

Training Modules Address Specific Age Groups

The curriculum is divided into three distinct six-hour modules tailored to different developmental stages. For primary school students aged 8 to 9, the program covers topics such as establishing digital boundaries, personal sharing, and identifying when to seek help. For older students aged 10 to 14, the curriculum shifts toward more complex subjects, including the protection of digital identity, understanding digital rights, and strategies for combatting cyberbullying. These modules ensure that students receive age-appropriate guidance on navigating the internet safely and consciously.

Pilot Programs Expand Across Seven Provinces

The pilot phase of the project is currently being implemented in Bitlis, İzmir, Ankara, Hatay, Istanbul, Samsun, and Diyarbakır. A total of 105 young volunteers are actively participating in the field to guide students through the modules. The project focuses on critical competencies, such as managing screen time, protecting personal data, and responding to online harassment. Following the completion of these initial sessions, organizers plan to evaluate feedback from the field to refine the model and expand the reach of the initiative to more regions in the future.

We invite you to share your thoughts on how schools and parents can better support children in navigating the digital world; please leave a comment below to join the conversation on digital safety.