Young people are growing up in a complex digital world dominated by social media, yet many lack the skills to navigate these platforms safely and critically. The media often portrays them negatively; a Nacro report found that media coverage of under-25s is twice as likely to be negative as positive, with only 21% of articles including young people's voices. Furthermore, a UK Youth report showed that 70% of young people feel worse about themselves because of social media.

Lily Mott, a passionate digital storyteller, created the Academy in response to these challenges. Through her work on the Be the change. Podcast, she heard first hand about the need for safe, inclusive spaces for young people to express themselves and connect. Lily’s vision is grounded in the belief that young people are the experts of their own stories and that ethical storytelling can be a powerful force for change.

Be the Change. Media Academy aims to tackle digital inequality and misinformation by providing a peer-led training programme grounded in three pillars: media literacy, ethical content creation, and practical storytelling. The Academy will give young people the skills to navigate digital platforms with clarity and care, while also encouraging safe, responsible, and values-driven engagement online. Through creating and publishing their own content, participants will gain the confidence, purpose, and practical skills to challenge harmful narratives and raise their voices for change.

In its pilot year, the project aims to reach over 1,000 young people across the UK, co-create a curriculum with youth advisors and experts, and launch a youth ambassador programme to sustain engagement. Participant-created content will be shared widely across Be the Change. Media Network’s platforms, while findings will be evaluated and published to inform future policy and partnerships. By building a generation of young media leaders, the Academy will strengthen trust-based online communities and create pathways for youth voices to drive lasting social impact.

Lily Mott, 24, is a passionate young leader and digital storyteller. Motivated by her own experiences and the stories of her peers, she created Be the change. Media Academy to empower young people to take control of their digital lives. 

Her vision of co-creation and peer leadership is at the heart of the Academy's mission, proving that young people can be the key to building a more inclusive, trustworthy, and ethical media future.