Digital Girl
Defining and Supporting Girls’
Digital Leadership
A Report by the Girl Scout Research Institute
Many girls today are
digital leaders.
The Girl Scout Research Institute conducted national research
with nearly 2,900 girls and boys ages 5–17 and their parents
for a closer look into girls’ digital experiences and their use of
technology to lead in their own lives and beyond.
According to the high standards of Girl Scouts of the USA, an impressive number of girls exhibit leadership in the digital space, seeking to improve their own lives and the world through their digital experiences and use of technology.
2,894
Survey Participants
Scroll to explore our findings and ways you can support today’s digital girl.
Decoding the Digital Girl
Key findings from
More than half of girls
are digital leaders.
Many girls are showing their digital
leader stripes: confidence; enthusiasm and
love for learning; the ability to consume
information online with a critical lens; and
interest and aptitude in creating, innovating,
and connecting with social issues and
causes digitally—and inspiring others to
do the same.
Girls Who Are
Digital Leaders
52%
Girls are as likely as boys
to be digital leaders.
Girls and boys don’t differ significantly when it comes to digital leadership overall: 52% of girls and 50% of boys are digital leaders. However, girls excel in these particular areas:
Hover over to learn more
68%
59%
Girls
Boys
45%
38%
60%
51%
Using technology to create something new
Connecting to social issues and causes through technology
Discovering a new talent or interest
through technology
Girls who are digital leaders have
a lot in common...
Their parents have
a positive outlook
on tech.
Home = tech-supportive environment.
Girls who are digital
leaders are more likely to
be able to take a break
from their phones when
they need to
(86% vs. 79% of
other girls).
86% of girls who are digital leaders have parents who talk with them about the positive aspects of technology
(vs. 74% of other girls), such as its potential to help girls gain valuable skills, connect with others in fun and meaningful ways, and learn about the world around them.
60% of girls who are
digital leaders have
access to multiple
smart devices at home
(vs. 46% of other girls).
They can regulate their own screen time.
Girls who are digital leaders are more likely
than other girls to be interested in STEM
fields and future tech careers.
Interest in STEM
Interest in Tech Careers
Interest in Tech Careers
Digital Leaders
Non–Digital Leaders
47%
67%
Key Insight
This heightened STEM interest from girls who are digital leaders can potentially narrow the gender gap in STEM careers.
Non–Digital Leaders
30%
Digital Leaders
51%
Compared to higher-income girls, lower-income girls have less access to technology in the home–laptops, tablets, desktops–and spend less time engaging in educational activities online.
Girls in lower-income households are less likely to be digital leaders and to have interest in STEM fields and tech careers.
Digital Leaders
Higher-Income
Girls
Lower-Income
Girls
54%
45%
Girl Scouts are more likely to be digital leaders than boys and non–Girl Scout girls.
Girl Scouts stand out in the digital space.
They’re able to:
Find reliable
information
Use technology to
create something new
Connect to social
issues and causes
Connect others to social
issues and causes
Every girl can become a digital leader.
Here are five ways you can support girls’ digital leadership.
77%
84%
Emphasize to girls that they have
what it takes to lead in the digital
space, as girls are often given less of
this encouragement than boys.
Find out what exactly girls are doing
on the internet. Talk to them about their online activity and help them engage safely and meaningfully. Treat daughters and sons equally when it comes to establishing rules about tech use.
Teach girls to be skeptical about information they find online—to consider various sources and evaluate
their legitimacy—in order to build
media literacy.
Encourage girls to, starting at a
young age, take healthy risks and
learn from setbacks in their online
activity, reminding them that some of
the best innovation comes from trying,
failing, and trying again (and again!).
Give all girls a range of opportunities
to explore STEM topics and potential
STEM careers throughout childhood
and adolescence —for one, by
integrating tech education across
subjects in school and in after-school programming.
Out-of-school-time activities—Girl Scouting in particular—that cater to girls’ specific learning and leadership styles may reflect the most promising practices for developing ever more girls who
are not just comfortable engaging digitally today, but who are primed to lead us into the digital future.
Key Insight
Girls’ potential as digital leaders is limitless.
In the digital space, girls are our world’s current and future innovators, designers, advocates, and community connectors. And with the right access, adult support, and awareness of opportunities, all girls can become digital leaders.
Share this with a girl you know!
Learn more about today’s digital leaders.
Let your community know!
Share with your family, friends, and neighbors.
Interest in STEM
Are you supporting your girl as she
becomes a digital leader? Take the quiz.
Answer five quick questions to see how you stack up.
Are you...
Aware of what she’s doing online?
YES
NO
1
Helping her engage safely in this space?
YES
2
NO
Are you...
Helping her take healthy risks and learn from setbacks online?
YES
3
NO
Are you...
Encouraging her to learn and explore her interests online?
YES
4
NO
Are you...
Encouraging her to use technology to connect to social issues?
YES
5
NO
Are you...
5
4
3
2
1
You have some room to grow—and there’s more you can do to support your girl’s digital leadership!
How are today’s girls using technology to improve their lives, their communities, and the world?
Download the full report to see all you can do to help your girl succeed in this space!
You’re doing some important things to support your girl’s digital leadership!
And download the full report to see the bigger picture and all you can do to ensure your girl’s success in the digital space.
Yes! You’re providing great support for your girl’s digital leadership—keep it up!
Confidence in tech skills
METHODOLOGY
The GSRI partnered with FROM and Touchstone Research to conduct qualitative and quantitative research with 2,894 participants across the U.S., including 944 girls and 503 boys ages 5–17, and 1,447 of their parents. These national samples aligned with U.S. Census data for youth ages 5–17 with respect to race/ethnicity, urbanicity, geographical region, and household income. Current Girl Scouts (35% of the girl sample, n=323) and non–Girl Scout girls were matched demographically, holding certain factors constant (household income, race/ethnicity, and age) to make equal comparisons between these groups of girls.
Download the Full Report
Download the Full Report
© 2018–19 Girl Scouts of the United States of America. A 501(c)(3) Organization. All Rights Reserved.
Download the Full Report
Quiz
Are you supporting your girl as she becomes a digital leader? Take the quiz!
Decoding the
And download the full report to see the bigger picture and all you can do to ensure your girl’s success in the digital space.
Yes! You’re providing great support for your girl’s digital leadership—keep it up!
Download the full report to see all you can do to help your girl succeed in this space!
You’re doing some important things to support your girl’s digital leadership!
Download the report to learn more!
You have some room to grow—and there’s more you can do to support your girl’s digital leadership!
Download the report to learn more!
Download the Fact Sheet
See the Research Methodology
Decoding the
Digital Girl.
Defining and Supporting Girls'
Digital Leadership
Many girls today are
digital leaders.
The Girl Scout Research Institute conducted national research
with nearly 2,900 girls and boys ages 5–17 and their parents
for a closer look into girls’ digital experiences and their use of
technology to lead in their own lives and beyond.
According to the high standards of the Girl Scouts of the USA, an impressive number of girls exhibit leadership in the digital space, seeking to improve their own lives and the world through their digital experiences and use of technology.
Scroll to explore our findings, and discover ways
you can help support today's digital girl.
How are today's digital girls using technology to improve their lives, their communities and the world?
Download the full Report
2,894
Number of survey participants
A Report by Girl Scout Research Institute
Girl Scouts are more likely to
be digital leaders than
non-Girl Scouts and boys
Girl Scouts stand out in the digital space.
They're able to:
Connect other to social
issues and causes
Find reliable
information
Use technology to
create somthing new
Connect to social
issues and causes
Girls in lower-income households are less likely to be digital leaders and to have interest in STEM fields and tech careers.
Lower-income girls have less access to
technology in the home–laptops, tablets, desktops–and spend less time engaging in educational activities online.
Higher-income
girls
54%
45%
Girls in lower-income
households are less
likely to be digital
lower-income girls have less access to technology in their home...
Girls who are digital leaders are more likely
than other girls to be interested in STEM
fields and future tech careers.
Interest in Tech careers
Interest in Tech careers
Non-Digital Leaders
30%
Digital Leaders
50%
Interest in STEM
Interest in STEM
Non-Digital Leaders
47%
Digital Leaders
67%
This interest from girl digital leaders can potentionally
narrow the gender gap in STEM career interest.
Key Insight
Girls who are digital leaders have
a few things in common...
A tech-supportive environment starts at home.
Parents have
a positive outlook
of technology.
Regulating their
own screen time comes naturally.
Girls who are digital
leaders are more likely to
be able to take a break
from their phones when
they need to
(86% vs. 79% of
other girls).
60% of girls who are
digital leaders have
access to multiple
smart devices at home
(vs. 46% of other girls).
86% of girls who are digital leaders have parents who talk with them about the positive aspects of technology
(vs. 74% of other girls), such as its potential to help girls gain valuable skills, connect with others in fun and meaningful ways, and learn about the world around them.
Girls are as likely as boys
to be digital leaders
Girls and boys don’t differ significantly when it comes to digital
leadership overall: 52 percent of girls and 50 percent of boys are
digital leaders. However, girls excel in these particular areas of
digital leadership:
Hover over to learn more
Using technology to create something new
45%
38%
Discovering a new talent or interest
through technology
68%
59%
Connecting to social issues and causes through technology
60%
51%
Boys
Girls
More than half of girls
are digital leaders.
Many girls are showing their digital
leader stripes: confidence; enthusiasm and
love for learning; the ability to consume
information online with a critical lens; and
interest and aptitude in creating, innovating,
and connecting with social issues and
causes digitally—and inspiring others to
do the same.
52%
Percentage of Girl Digital Leaders
Decoding the Digital Girl.
Key findings from
Every girl can become digital leaders.
Here are five ways you can help support digital girls.
Give all girls a range of opportunities
to explore STEM topics and potential
STEM careers throughout childhood
and adolescence —for one, by
integrating tech education across
subjects in school and in after-school programming. (and again!).
Encourage girls to, starting at a
young age, take healthy risks and
learn from setbacks in their online
activity, reminding them that some of
the best innovation comes from trying,
failing, and trying again (and again!).
Teach girls to be skeptical about information they find online—to consider various sources and evaluate
their legitimacy—in order to build
media literacy.
Find out what exactly girls are doing
on the internet. Talk to them about their online activity and help them engage safely and meaningfully. And remember to treat daughters and sons equally when it comes to establishing rules about tech use.
77%
84%
Emphasize to girls that they have
what it takes to lead in the digital
space, as girls are often given less of
this encouragement than boys.
Out-of-school-time activities—Girl Scouting in particular—that
cater to girls’ specific learning and leadership styles may reflect
the most promising practices for developing ever more girls who
are not just comfortable engaging digitally today, but who are
primed to lead us into the digital future.
Key Insight
Girls' potentintial as digital leaders is limitless.
In the digital space, girls are our world’s current and future innovators, designers, advocates, and community connectors. And with the right
access, adult support, and awareness of opportunities in the digital
space, all girls can become digital leaders.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Share this with
a girl you know.
SHARE
DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT
Learn more about today's digital girl.
Let your community know!
Share with your family, friends, and neighbors.
Are you supporting your girl as she
becomes a digital leader? Take the quiz.
Answer five quick questions to where you stack up
in today's digital world.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT
5
4
3
2
1
YES
NO
Encouraging her to use technology to connect to social issues?
Are you...
5
YES
NO
Building her confidence in the digital space?
Are you...
4
YES
NO
Helping her to take healthy risks and learn from setbacks?
Are you...
3
YES
NO
Understand what she is doing online?
Are you...
2
YES
NO
Helping her to engage safely in this space?
Are you...
1
You have some room to grow – and there’s
more to be done to support your digital leader!
Download the report to learn more!
Some room to grow -
You have some room to grow – and there’s
more to be done to support your digital leader!
Download the report to learn more!
Some room to grow -
You’re on your way to supporting your digital leader!
Download the full report to see all you can do to support your girl!
Download the report to learn more!
On your way to supporting your digital leader!
You’re on your way to supporting your digital leader!
Download the full report to see all you can do to support your girl!
Download the report to learn more!
On your way to supporting your digital leader!
Keep it up! Now, download the full report to see the bigger
picture and all you can do to ensure your girl’s success is limitless.
Download the report to learn more!
Yes! You’re providing great support for your digital leader!
Keep it up! Now, download the full report to see the bigger
picture and all you can do to ensure your girl’s success is limitless.
Download the report to learn more!
Yes! You’re providing great support for your digital leader!