We're on a Mission
Be Smart Cookie believes every child can learn to take smart, safe decisions about the vast amount of information they see, hear and watch online every day.
We offer fun, short courses that build on what young people already know and do in their real lives to stay safe, providing them with a tool kit of digital literacy skills they feel confident to use.
Each and every child can be an online smart cookie!
About Janette
I worked at the BBC for twenty years as a journalist and film maker. And for three years I led the BBC's media literacy programme teaching school children across the UK and around the world how to spot fake news and find reliable content.
Then my own children started surprising - and worrying - me, using slang and swear words, spouting nonsense on a subject, talking about people I'd never heard of and offering opinions I wasn't comfortable with. Where were they getting this stuff from? The answer; online.
So I realised it was to time teach my own kids how to dodge the digital bad stuff and find the good stuff. And because I know I'm not alone, I started Be Smart Cookie Ltd. to empower other parents and carers to do the same.
All the content you find here at Be Smart Cookie is informed by nearly a decade of working in media literacy and critical thinking training as consultant, project manager, content designer and public speaker. I've worked with lawyers and start-ups, and with UK and international NGOs. I also sit on the Advisory Board for media literacy at Amity University, India and am dedicated to my role as Vice Chair of Newham Community Learning Multiple Academy Trust.
Please let me know if there is anything in particular I can help you with, I'd be happy to hear from you.
Clients & Colleagues
I've had the privilege of working with many amazing people and organisations.
Here are just a few...
Our Approach
Our courses are deliberately designed to be bite-sized - 10 to 15 minutes - with simple take aways. But that doesn't mean we avoid tricky topics. Activities encourage learners to think critically and independently, building skills and confidence.
And flexibility is designed in; your child can learn alone or with someone and can take courses in any order to develop a comprehensive kit of skills, one tool at a time. Additional resources and digital story books mean the whole family can be involved in getting screen smart & safe.
The result is a unique learning product with easy to remember takeaways - ideal for curious young children and their busy parents and carers!
Smart Cookie Bites
Be Smart Cookie Bites is our newsletter that you receive when you join our Cookie Community of parents and carers!
Smart Cookie Bites is packed with all the latest information on social media trends, fake news, AI and other tech developments heading your child’s way. You’ll be first to hear about new courses available on the Be Smart Cookie website and plenty more including live events and an easy-to-do top-tip to help your child to stay smart online.
And because we know you're busy juggling, Smart Cookie Bites gets straight to the point, keeps it simple and is only sent to your inbox when there is really something worth sharing.