Washington, D.C. – The Girl Scouts of the USA and Google have teamed up to launch a new national program aimed at helping girls and their families build safe, healthy, and confident relationships with technology.
Unveiled at Google’s Digital Wellbeing Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., the “Be Internet Awesome Family Challenge” and its corresponding Digital Wellbeing Fun Patch will teach Girl Scouts across the country how to navigate the online world responsibly — from setting digital boundaries to identifying misinformation and reporting harmful content.
The initiative is supported by $5 million in funding from Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm. Lawmakers and leaders including Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (VA) and Reps. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) joined Girl Scouts and Google officials for the announcement.
Throughout the day, scouts from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia participated in digital skill–building exercises such as ranking password strength and spotting online misinformation.
“Teaching young people how to use the internet safely is as important as teaching them to look both ways before crossing the street,” said Sen. Capito. “This program helps equip the next generation to engage responsibly and safely online.”
Shanika Hope, Google.org’s Director of Knowledge, Skills and Learning, added that supporting organizations like the Girl Scouts “ensures young people can thrive online and seize the opportunities technology presents for education, connection, and innovation.”
The “Be Internet Awesome” curriculum and Fun Patch resources are available on the Girl Scouts’ Raising Awesome Girls website, giving troop leaders and families nationwide access to the new materials.
For more information, visit www.girlscouts.org.
