How Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, is transforming lives
Nashville, Tenn. (June 24, 2025) - Technology touches just about everything we do — whether it’s how we work, manage our money, or stay in touch with family and friends. Knowing how to use that tech isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. That is why Connected Nation (CN) teamed up with AT&T to launch a program to help make sure everyone has the skills to use today’s digital tools.
Now in its third year, Teens Teach Tech (TTT), powered by AT&T is a national initiative in which a mentor leads a small group of teens to deliver digital skills training workshops to adults in predominantly underserved communities. These workshops cover various topics and aim to empower learners, many of whom are seniors, with the skills they need to navigate the digital world confidently.
Teens who join the program get to build real leadership skills and practice public speaking. Along the way, they also learn teamwork, presentation skills, and marketing know-how. What’s especially neat is that they get to give back to their communities — by helping adults get more comfortable with tech. Plus, the program offers chances to raise money for things they care about, whether it’s a school club, sports team, or even a personal goal.
Why it matters
You might be wondering, why does this program matter for our communities, big or small? Well, it matters because many communities and areas of our country are still caught in the Digital Divide. The Digital Divide is the gap between people or places that have access to things like the internet, computers, and smartphones —and those who don’t. One way to help bridge that gap is by providing community members with digital literacy training.
“Digital literacy is an important building block that individuals must have in order to thrive, grow, and chase after what drives them,” said CNProgram Coordinator Jessica Golson. “In fact, I'd even go so far as to say digital literacy is now a fundamental requirement to acquire many of the basic needs in a person's life.”
Those who lack the skills to navigate the internet have a hard time doing the following: completing an online application for housing, ordering from an online delivery service for food or other goods, paying monthly utility bills, finding care for children or sick loved ones, and much more. Even income is potentially affected by lack of digital knowledge, as most job postings are online and resumes, applications, and hiring onboarding are all handled through digital platforms.
“Understanding just how necessary this skill set is for the everyday person truly feeds into the importance of the Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T initiative,” said Golson. “A program that, at its absolute core, is about positive impact and changing lives. A program that supports the acquisition of digital skills that can allow a person to thrive in our modern-day society.”
This unique program highlights the knowledge teens possess, how they can utilize their own skills to benefit their elders, and why such a mission is changing the narrative on digital literacy in communities just like yours.
Teams with an impact
Since its start, Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, has launched teams in 40 states. Currently, the program has 102 active teams. Below, we highlight a few of them, and how they are impacting their communities.
East Memphis, Tenn., East Memphis High School DECA chapter
One of our most active teams is in East Memphis, Tenn. Some of the students struggle to find safe, meaningful ways to engage with their community. But under mentor Michael Hoots, the DECA chapter at East Memphis High School has been working tirelessly to ensure these future world leaders have the tools they need to not only feel safe in their world but be the change their own community needs.
“Hearing their stories always provides me with a fresh perspective and a renewed drive to share this program with communities,” said Golson. “They are filled with exceptional young minds chomping at the bit to pour their hearts into something really special.”
St. Stephen, S.C., Ignite Tech Impact
In the rural area of St. Stephen, S.C., a group of passionate forward-thinkers are working together under Ignite Tech Impact (formerly Ignite Tech Youth). Their story is inspiring, and the area is so different from larger cities and suburban communities.
“I think that would be another community that I'd say is one of my favorites,” said Golson. “Sonia Gaillard and her students are the definition of resilient changemakers.
Frederick, Md., Urbana STEMM
The members of this Maryland team predominantly work with the senior population and have established a series of training sessions to teach topics such as email basics, mobile device basics, and internet safety. The teens have made quite the impact on the seniors —they have been asked to come back frequently to teach more classes.
“They are established in their community as a program that has played a pivotal role in providing educational opportunities, fostering community support, and promoting volunteerism among students in the Frederick community,” said CN Digital Inclusion Specialist Kiersten Rucker. “The team mentor, Amit Kumar, along with parent volunteers, have guided their students through the Teens Teach Tech curriculum and empowered them to teach digital skills in their community.”
Moscow, Idaho, Mountain Home Public Library, MHPL Teens Teaching Tech
The Mountain Home Public Library in Moscow, Idaho, MHPL Teens Teaching Tech team has seamlessly incorporated the program’s curriculum into their library programming and has found many ways to customize the topics for their audience. The team has offered classroom-style training that has combined their mobile device basics courses with how to use common apps like grocery stores. They focused the computer basics class on how to use graphic design software Canva and taught the participants how to make Valentine’s Day cards.
One of their most recent events was a Senior Tech Carnival to help seniors try out newer technology at the library, said Rucker. Team mentor, Jessica Mann, gave a description of the event:
“We had stations for VR, Wii Mario Kart, X-box, as well as stations for setting up an appointment through the library's website, using Google Maps, and texting. Our MHPL Teens Teaching Tech teen taught the texting class. They quickly ran through some smartphone basics, then taught different fun things like how to create a bitmoji, how to send with special effects, and how to search/add GIFs to a text. For each station, the seniors received a raffle ticket for ‘playing’ instead of having to give a ticket. Raffle tickets went towards fun prizes such as laptops, tablets, earbuds, and more. Anyone who won was given info on how to set up an appointment for tech support to set up/use their new device.”
The impact beyond teens and communities
What makes the program so impressive is the positive impact it has on not just the teens and community members, but also the Connected Nation team.
Golson has the pleasure of working directly with every single organization and team that is onboarded with Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T. “I fuel my weekly energy off of the joy I receive connecting with these students and hearing their personal gains and growth from participating in the program,” she said. “My job isn't simply to bring teams in and help them through the program, it's to be their No. 1 cheerleader, problem solver, and support system.”
As a part of Rucker’s role in the program, she loves seeing the teens take on leadership roles that not only help others in their community but give them confidence in public speaking and engaging with others.
“I enjoy hearing from the audience about how the teens have helped and hearing from the teens about what they felt while doing the presentations,” said Rucker. "It’s motivating to witness both the teens and the audience feel a sense of empowerment from being part of this program.”
How to bring the program to your area
Now you are probably wondering, how do I bring this one-of-a-kind program to my community?
Get started by creating a team and finding an organization sponsor (this can be a school or program the team will form under). A Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T team can start with as few as two eighth to 12th grade students and one adult mentor under the sponsoring organization.
Since this is a fully grant-funded initiative thanks to AT&T, organizations participate at absolutely no cost! If you know of students looking for a positive way to earn some community service hours and make a difference in their community, this program is sure to be the right fit.
All it takes is completing the interest form linked HERE, and our program leads will set up a time to meet, create a plan of action for your new team, and support you through the onboarding and launch process.
This is your opportunity to make an impact. Don’t miss your chance!
Links to other Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T articles:
- City of STEM LA Maker Fair hosts over 30,000 attendees, features panel from Teens Teach Tech trainers across the US
- Reversing roles: Students teach their school staff about the importance of cybersecurity
- Changing the world: Teens train 270 learners in digital skills
- Empowering elders: Lexington youth bring digital skills training to church
- Spotlight: Kristen Moor - Inspiring the next generation through digital literacy