Web Rangers is a digital literacy project designed to allow young people to gain critical skills and knowledge around online safety. Young people then use these skills and knowledge to create innovative campaigns that promote safe internet usage and champion their rights in the digital world.
The Web Rangers programme was launched in South Africa in 2016 with the aim to improve participants’ digital literacy skills and empower them to take ownership of their digital footprint. The programme has developed to ensure that in addition to creating and promoting awareness around safe and responsible internet usage, it also empowers young people with critical media literacy skills. A core strength of the programme is that young people learn and empower other young people to use the internet responsibly, positively and engage with news and information in a sceptical manner.

The programme is grounded in the belief that when young people possess digital and media literacy skills, they can develop their own capabilities and become active citizens who contribute to the development of this country. Further to this, they can have the skills to self-regulate and protect themselves from risk and potential harm including cyber-bullying and inappropriate sexual conduct online.

The programmes objectives are to: