Digital literacy is more than just knowing how to use technology, such as smartphones or computers; it’s also about understanding and evaluating digital content critically. For climate action specifically, digital literacy helps young people:

• Access reliable information, as the internet is flooded with diverse stances, so distinguishing between trustworthy sources and misinformation is crucial.
• Engage in activism through social media and online platforms, which have increasingly been used by youth to participate in discussions and movements advocating for environmental action.
• Use digital tools for sustainability, from carbon footprint apps to platforms and content creators promoting eco-friendly practices.

Digital citizenship goes a step further by focusing on responsible and ethical participation in the digital world as members of a vast and diverse society. Key aspects include:

• Online responsibility: Youth must learn to engage respectfully online, sharing content thoughtfully and avoiding harmful behaviours like cyberbullying or the spread of fake news.
• Global awareness: Digital citizens should understand their role in the global community and how their online and offline actions impact the people and world, including the environment.
• Collaboration: Digital platforms enable youth to collaborate on global environmental projects, fostering collective action for climate solutions.

It is essential for youth to leverage technology for positive change, especially in tackling global issues like climate change. As many initiatives and projects have demonstrated, and as we discussed in a previous article on our project blog, video games are increasingly recognised for their educational potential. A game designed to teach climate change can offer:

• Interactive learning, as players actively engage with climate scenarios, learning about the consequences of their actions and becoming actors in a story rooted in complex situations.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving through games that require players to make decisions impacting the environment and outcome.
• Empathy, as some games simulate the experiences of communities affected by climate change, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental impacts on marginalised groups.
• Collaboration through multiplayer games that encourage teamwork, helping youth learn the importance of collective efforts in addressing climate issues.

By integrating digital literacy and citizenship, climate-themed games can educate and inspire eco-responsible behaviour both in-game and in real life. For that, players must be equipped with digital literacy and citizenship skills, which they can further develop through entertaining gaming experiences beyond traditional educational activities.

Youth can then recognise how their in-game decisions mirror real-world environmental scenarios, acknowledging their role and impact on real and potential scenarios. This can enhance a strong sense of digital citizenship and foster collaboration and respectful interactions, helping them engage more responsibly online, promote eco-friendly practices, harness the information and tools they need to navigate the world and understand the consequences of their digital and physical choices.

Through engaging educational resources such as our narrative video game, we aim to improve digital literacy and citizenship and promote eco-responsibility. By fostering a generation of digitally equipped and responsible citizens, we aim to empower youth to take meaningful action and protect our planet so that future generations may hopefully have the freedom to explore the beauty of the world.