United States Promotes Digital Literacy in Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand - The United States government, together with Facebook Thailand and DAI, is working with nearly 400 Thai university students to promote digital literacy, critical thinking, online identity security, and positive online communications. 

Building on Facebook’s successful ‘We Think Digital Thailand’ program, the Wai Kid Digital University Challenge invited youth from six partner universities nationwide (Hat Yai University, Mae Fah Luang University, Ramkamhaeng University, Srinakharinwirot University, Suranaree University of Technology, and Walailak University) to submit their video pitches on how to improve digital literacy. This week, students will begin a month-long bootcamp to learn how to create videos that educate the public about positive online communication, online identity and security, news literacy, and critical thinking. The bootcamp includes a series of interactive virtual workshops with leading experts from Facebook Creative Shop, Base Playhouse, Blackbox, and more. 

“The United States is committed to promoting open, inclusive, and secure digital ecosystems and is pleased to support the effort to bring youth, the private sector, and governments together to co-create this shared vision,” said Michael Heath, Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.  

“As we move into an increasingly hyper-connected world, Facebook is committed to offering our technology to connect everyone in society together and equipping them with the skills needed to foster positive online spaces,” Michael Bak, Head of Public Policy, Facebook Thailand. 

Students participating in the bootcamp with leading industry mentors will pitch their final video ideas to a panel of judges who will select the top team from each university based on their creativity and effectiveness at improving digital literacy for Thai citizens. The six selected teams will showcase their videos at the Wai Kid Digital celebration summit in May 2021 in Bangkok, where the winners will be announced. 

“Being digitally connected presents us with an opportunity to spread positive impact in Thailand at a scale we have never seen before,” said Thaniya Theungsang, Communications and Digital Technology Program Manager at DAI. “DAI firmly believes in the co-creation process for digital solutions, and we are excited to implement this approach in the Wai Kid Digital University Challenge.” 

The Wai Kid Digital University Challenge is an expansion of Facebook’s flagship “We Think Digital” digital literacy program first launched in Thailand in 2019. Wai Kid Digital is being implemented by Love Frankie, and is part of USAID’s Digital Asia Accelerator program (‘the Accelerator’) implemented by DAI. Through the Accelerator, USAID is working across Southeast Asia and Mongolia to advance inclusive and sustainable economic development by increasing businesses’ and citizens’ capacities to use digital technology safely and effectively.