BBC WebWise
title: "BBC WebWise" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["bbc-new-media", "broadcasting-websites", "british-educational-websites"] topic_path: "geography/united-kingdom" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_WebWise" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox website"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | BBC WebWise |
| url | http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise (part offline) |
| commercial | No |
| type | Learning |
| language | English (UK) |
| registration | Was required for official course content |
| owner | BBC |
| launch_date | 1998 |
| current_status | Online, but for some parts, offline |
| :: |
| name = BBC WebWise | logo = | screenshot = | caption = | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise (part offline) | alexa = | commercial = No | type = Learning | language = English (UK) | registration = Was required for official course content | owner = BBC | author = | launch_date = 1998 | current_status = Online, but for some parts, offline | revenue =
BBC WebWise is both the BBC's archived guide to the internet for computer novices as well as some videos. Created in 1998, it consisted and on the archive, consists of a series of articles and videos. It also incorporates elements of another BBC website, BBC raw computers. All BBC websites are required to link to WebWise when using content which requires a plug-in.
History
BBC WebWise was created in 1998 to encourage new users to explore the internet, as part of a wider BBC campaign which included TV and radio programmes. By December 1999 it consisted of articles, columns, a blog, message boards and a Q&A section. A wide range of freelance writers were attached to the project, including Charlie Brooker and Bill Thompson (resident columnist with WebWise until 2008).
In 2004, WebWise launched a 10-hour accredited course, called Becoming WebWise.
Current features
WebWise was completely redesigned and relaunched in September 2010, with articles on a variety of computer-related subjects written by well-known technology writers such as Bill Thompson, Wendy M. Grossman and Jack Schofield. It formerly contained new courses, and also has a weekly column, and a large A to Z of technical terms.
References
References
- [http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/qcf/ict_tec/itq/documents/#Support_materials OCR Vocational Qualifications: ITQ 2009 Levels 1-3 in IT User Skills]
- [https://archive.today/20090301091637/http://www.bbc.co.uk/raw/computers BBC raw computers]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20091006144324/http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/futuremedia/technical/multimedia_plugins_flash.shtml#s3_considerations BBC Future Media Standards and Guidelines: Multimedia Plug-in Content Standards]
- (30 December 1999). "BBC WebWise Arrivals Lounge".
- (30 December 1999). "BBC WebWise homepage".
- (30 December 1999). "BBC WebWise credits".
- "andfinally: Bill Thompson's Blog".
- (3 February 2004). "Becoming WebWise".
- [https://archive.today/20120719224004/http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/comments/20100909-bill-thompson-being-webwise BBC WebWise Weekly comment: Being WebWise means more than clicking around]
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