In a school in the Canary Islands, children listen intently to a volunteer. He is not there to talk about internet safety. He is talking about things that have long been part of these teenagers’ reality, about how their digital world works. For them, online is life.
In a world where the line between the physical and digital has long been blurred, the traditional education model is starting to falter. It is based on an experience in which the internet is a tool and the phone is a distraction. Meanwhile, teenagers have long been living at a different pace. Their messages, videos, profiles, and digital footprints are an extension of their personalities. In this world, they try things out, make mistakes, learn, and grow.
This challenge requires a new response. Competent support is needed. Fundación Cibervoluntarios, a Spanish organization committed to digital education as the foundation for personal and social sustainability, has taken on this role precisely.
Digital Learning is no longer a Luxury.
In recent years, the foundation has built a model that rethinks the very idea of education. The Campamento Digital program was created as an alternative to boring lectures on digital hygiene. It speaks to children and teenagers in their language. The classes are flexible and can be adapted to different ages, knowledge levels, and technology access.
In 2025, the project will reach hundreds of schools and educational organizations. More than 70,000 teenagers will have access to classes on critical thinking, digital security, media content creation, and understanding the principles of the digital economy. More than 30 percent of participants live in rural or remote areas. This means that access to digital learning is gradually becoming more equitable, without bias toward large cities.
The program is implemented by a network of more than 4,500 volunteers. They teach and become guides to the part of the digital world that can be a source of development.
Preparing for a New World
When teenagers confidently navigate the TikTok interface, it does not necessarily mean that they understand how algorithms work or what their next step after school might be. The digital world is full of opportunities, but they only become apparent when knowledge is acquired. It is at this stage that Fundación Cibervoluntarios focuses on teaching practical skills and developing digital talent.
The foundation’s projects include programming, databases, digital design, cybersecurity, and analytics courses. The lessons are designed for students aged 9 to 17, and the programs gradually increase in complexity. The level of involvement depends on age, previous experience, and motivation. The classes allow students to learn about future professions and try them out, reducing anxiety and helping them understand which paths are most accessible.
Special attention is paid to teenagers from vulnerable social groups and girls, who are traditionally underrepresented in technology professions. A separate initiative, InnovadorasTIC, is working in this direction. It shows that a career in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or front-end development is a normal path available to anyone with the tools and support.
Technology as a Social Elevator
Program participation is often accompanied by mentoring, invitations to professional communities, and access to basic technical resources. This is especially important in rural areas without IT schools or specialized clubs.
The foundation emphasizes practical skills that meet the requirements of the modern digital economy. These skills cover different levels of complexity and are tailored to the interests and ages of the students. Here are the key competencies that the classes focus on developing:
- Cybersecurity and digital hygiene: How to protect personal data and work safely online
- Critical thinking and media literacy: How to distinguish reliable information from manipulation
- Programming and working with code: First steps in creating your projects
- Web design and digital creativity: How to shape ideas and make them visually expressive
- Digital content creation: How to use video, text, and graphics for communication
- Data analysis basics: How to understand and interpret information
- Navigating the world of STEAM professions: How to find your way in fast-growing industries
This combination helps students master technical tools and build clearer career goals. This is especially important in times of instability, when success depends on a willingness to learn and adapt.
International Partnerships and Scale
The foundation’s educational programs are not limited to Spain. Over two decades, Cibervoluntarios has become one of the most active international organizations in digital literacy. It participates in shaping the global agenda.
One such initiative is the EDUS program, in which the foundation collaborates with organizations from Denmark, Iceland, Slovenia, and Italy. The joint goal is to prepare vocational education teachers for new challenges. The focus is on sustainable development, 21st-century skills, and integrating digital technologies into everyday practice.
Such projects make it possible to synchronize educational strategies at the EU level and reduce the gap between students’ digital skills in different countries. In addition, they form a common understanding of how technology can enhance social inclusion.
Large technology companies are also becoming part of this ecosystem. They provide platforms, resources, and expertise, while the fund ensures access and adaptation of these opportunities for end users. This partnership allows for scaling up training while maintaining accessibility and practical value.
It is difficult to overestimate Cibervoluntarios’s role in the current digital transformation landscape. It is a platform for exchange, navigation, and growth. It is an organization capable of connecting complex technological infrastructure with the real needs of schools, families, and individual students.
Wrapping Up
Over two decades of work, the Cibervoluntarios Foundation has built a unique model of technology education. It connects digital infrastructure with human capital, expands access to knowledge, and provides young people with the tools to adapt to the modern world. The foundation’s programs open space for learning, creativity, and the conscious use of technology.
The scale and diversity of the initiatives show that digital learning is possible anywhere in the country and any context, from small rural schools to international academic programs. Cibervoluntarios acts as a bridge between technology and society. This approach enables the creation of sustainable learning models that consider both young people’s needs and the challenges of the modern digital world.