One teen helped Hawaii's kūpuna get connected. After graduation, she's not stopping.

Honolulu, Hawaii (July 15, 2026) - Tech Savvy Teens was born out of a community need to help older adults get connected in an increasingly digital world. The program has grown in impact thanks to a group of dedicated young people who continue to show up.

In Honolulu, Hawaii, Tech Savvy Teens serves the island of Oʻahu. Co-founded by 16-year-old Jaffer Dakroub, a native Hawaiian student at Kaulike Academy, Tech Savvy Teens has two main values: that seniors (kūpuna) deserve complete access to the digital world, and that underrepresented youth in Hawaii deserve clear pathways to careers in technology.

Tech Savvy Teens has recently partnered with Connected Nation’s (CN) Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, program to provide digital skills to anyone who may need them.

What is Tech Savvy Teens?

The Tech Savvy Teens program started during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. When churches and other institutions moved their services online, many kūpuna were left behind. Unable to navigate YouTube, smartphones, or video calls, they became disconnected from their community.

A group of young teens discovered this need in their community and stepped in with a solution.

The teens went from providing intermittent technology support to holding weekly sessions, and from providing community service to running a full workforce readiness program.

Word quickly spread to neighboring churches and senior living homes across Oʻahu. The teens realized there was a greater need for digital skills training than they first thought. They soon learned they could teach topics they were already fluent in while also providing a space for the community to gather.

During their weekly workshops, Tech Savvy Teens teach kūpuna online safety tips, smartphone basics, and other digital skills. These classes don’t only impact the older adults, but they also benefit the teens. These courses equip young leaders with industry-recognized certifications in digital literacy, Microsoft Office, and cybersecurity, providing direct pathways to technology careers in Hawaii.

How one teen leader plans to help close the Digital Divide post-graduation

Leah Dakroub is an 18-year-old participant in Tech Savvy Teens who has made a big difference in her community. Her values are closely aligned with CN’s mission to improve lives by expanding the access and use of broadband and related technologies, which is why she got involved with Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, and serves as a Tech Savvy Teen Youth Mentor.

“I help kūpuna develop digital skills and become more comfortable using technology through workshops and one-on-one tech support,” Dakroub said.

Her favorite moments during training are when she sees participants gain confidence and excitement after learning something new.

While teens like Dakroub may already have mastered most digital skills, they grow along with the program by learning new skills the more they teach. Through Teens Teach Tech, students learn skills in leadership, public speaking, problem solving, and more.

“Training has taught me the importance of patience and that everyone learns differently and are on different levels, which helps me adapt,” Dakroub said.

After graduation, she plans to continue helping her community learn digital skills. She is eager to help close the Digital Divide and excited to put her experience with the program on her résumé.

Groups like Tech Savvy Teens exist because young people across the nation are determined to see their communities thrive. If you’re interested in bringing Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, to your community, get started today.