I am the founder and executive director of WISE KIDS, a non-profit organisation set up in the UK in October 2002. In the last 10 years in this role, I have developed resources and guidelines, as well as delivered training programmes and consultancy on Youth and Digital Media, Digital Literacy and Safety.
Our programmes are for young people and the professionals who work with them - from parents, foster carers, educators, governors, youth workers to librarians, children's services, mental health professionals and the police. We work nationally and internationally. I have also organised conferences on these themes, as well as presented/ keynoted at other conferences (on these themes as well as in the areas of Digital Competency and Social Media for businesses, the third sector and adult education).
I have also been an external examiner. I have also just started a training and consultancy business called Digital and People, which will focus on Internet and Digital Literacy programmes in the work place, and in adult education
I did both my BSc and PhD at the Department for Electrical Engineering at the University of Leicester (1989,1992 respectively). These years quite unintentionally, provided me with the perfect introduction to the Internet, education and digital literacy in quite unexpected ways. I believe strongly in the need to invest in 21st century digital literacy and competency programmes to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to develop the necessary competencies to be able to benefit and participate online fully. My work in Digital Safety Education started when I volunteered and delivered training for PAGi - the Singapore government-established Parents Advisory Group for the Internet.
I am a member of a number of government and non-government groups where I promote Digital Inclusion and Digital Literacy. These include the UK Council for Child Internet Safety and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre's Education Advisory Board. Do connect with me on Twitter – my id is @sangeet.