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Better Internet for Kids (BIK)
Under the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL), European Schoolnet develops and maintains – on behalf of the European Commission – the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) platform to share resources, services and practices between national providers of the services – the European Safer Internet Centres (SICs) – and to provide services to their users and other relevant stakeholders.
The BIK platform contains:
- A public website (the BIK portal)
- A community space that is accessible to registered users only (SICs, SIC+, and other key stakeholders).
The BIK portal offers:
- Articles from the Insafe-INHOPE network members on a range of online safety topics, to keep you updated with the latest opportunities, challenges and initiatives for keeping children and young people safe online, on national, European and global levels.
- The Better Internet for Kids (BIK) bulletin, a quarterly electronic newsletter with the aim of keeping you informed on better internet issues.
- The Knowledge hub, a central access point for information, evidence, and policy insights on the impact of digital transformation on the lives of children and young people in the EU, Iceland, and Norway.
- Learning corners, your ‘one stop shop’ for learning and teaching about digital citizenship and online safety.
- A range of resources to support parents, caregivers, teachers, educators and other members of the child workforce in their roles, including the Resource directory, the Guide to apps, the Guide to age assurance, and many more.
- Events and campaigns that are organised (or attended) within the framework of Better Internet for Kids.
- The BIK Youth programme, aiming to involve young people in discussions concerning a safer and better internet.
Content
The Knowledge hub is a central access point for information, evidence, and policy insights on the impact of digital transformation on the lives of children and young people in the EU, Iceland, and Norway. It is designed to inform stakeholder communities by bringing together key insights from the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) initiative and the EU 27+2 Member States. It includes:
- The Policy monitor, a key feature that provides a comprehensive review of the state of implementation of the European strategy for a Better Internet for Kids+ (BIK+ strategy) across the EU Member States, Iceland and Norway.
- A Rules and guidelines directory which provides an overview of relevant policies, strategies, and governmental initiatives for implementing the BIK+ strategy.
- A Research and reports directory which collates timely and relevant research and evidence informing the implementation of the BIK+ strategy.
- Evidence-based Knowledge hub insights that combine information, evidence, and policy insights across the Knowledge hub in digestible and topical articles.
The Learning corners are specifically designed for those who work with, upskill, or support children and young people - notably teachers and educators and parents and caregivers. They are your ‘one stop shop’ for learning and teaching about digital citizenship and online safety.
You will find free information, advice, and suggested resources to learn and teach about digital citizenship and online safety, which will help young people navigate their digital world safely and positively.
Over the years, Safer Internet Centres (SICs) in Europe have developed various educational resources and videos aimed at helping teachers, parents and carers, and children and young people, to discover the online world safely. Now you can access all of these resources in just one place via the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) resource directory.
Our guide to apps aims to provide key information about some of the most popular apps, social networking sites and other platforms which are commonly being used by children and young people (and adults) today, including Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) as designated by the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Along with the great benefits that the internet offers children and young people, there are also certain risks, including children facing content or services that may be harmful to them. Age assurance is one solution that can be used to keep children safe from online risks. In recent years, research has been undertaken to investigate and analyse different measures for age assurance online.
To support this work, BIK launched a self-assessment guide, the BIK age assurance self-assessment tool (and corresponding questionnaire), helping digital service providers to critically reflect on their digital services and how these may intersect with the protection of children and young people online. It offers practical guidance to digital services providers throughout the self-assessment process, providing relevant questions about age assurance to attain a robust and critically reflected decision-making process regarding the protection of minors online.
- The Events page collects a range of events, actions and international days which highlight safer and better internet issues.
- The Campaigns page includes a variety of campaigns that are organised, or attended, within the framework of Better Internet for Kids (BIK).
- Safer Internet Forum (SIF) is a key annual international conference in Europe where policymakers, researchers, law enforcement bodies, youth, parents and caregivers, teachers, NGOs, industry representatives, experts and other relevant actors come together to discuss the latest trends, opportunities, risks and solutions related to child online safety and making the internet a better place.
At the current time, we do not accept guest articles from external organisations. The BIK portal focuses on the outputs of the work of the Insafe-INHOPE network of Safer Internet Centres and hotlines all across Europe and beyond, and other key stakeholders in keeping children and young people safe online.
Get help
Safer Internet Centres across Europe aim to keep children and young people safe online through various actions and initiatives. Typically comprising an awareness centre, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, Safer Internet Centres provide a wealth of content and services to support children and young people and those who care for them: parents and caregivers, teachers, educators, and other professionals, and other stakeholders.
After selecting your country on the SIC network page, you will find details and contact information for Safer Internet Centre services.
If you're experiencing online harm, such as cyberbullying, threats or exposure to negative content, it's important to ask for help. These issues can affect your mental health and daily life, so don't hesitate to look for support!
Start by finding and sending a message to your national Safer Internet Centre. They offer helplines and resources in your language and will direct you to local support services.
Remember, you're not alone; there are people out there ready to help you through these challenges!
If you find yourself in immediate danger, please contact the police and/or other emergency services in your country.
If you are a parent or caregiver of a young person experiencing online harm (such as cyberbullying, threats, or exposure to harmful content) there are resources available to help you navigate these challenges.
Start by locating and contacting your national Safer Internet Centre. They provide helplines and resources in your language, allowing you to connect with local support services tailored to your needs.
If you find yourself or your child in immediate danger, please contact the police and/or other emergency services in your country.
Please get in touch with the Better Internet for Kids support team via this contact form. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
BIK Youth
BIK Youth is part of the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) programme and its goal is to give young people a voice in making the internet a safer and better place.
Each year, a group of young people - BIK Youth Panellists and Ambassadors - meet before and during the Safer Internet Forum (SIF) to share ideas, discuss challenges, and propose actions on internet safety. They also interact with different organisations and experts to encourage the creation of industry guidelines.
You can get involved in BIK Youth by becoming a BIK Youth Panellist or an Ambassador. This means you will be part of a group of young people aged 13 to 18 from different EU countries working together from June until the Safer Internet Forum (SIF) in November. As a Panellist or Ambassador, you will participate in discussions, work on projects, and attend events. You will represent the views of young people and help develop activities that promote a better and safer internet.
To begin your journey, you’ll need to be selected by your country’s Safer Internet Centre (SIC). Contact your national SIC to learn how to join youth panel activities and get started!
Think of the different BIK Youth groups as 'stepping stones' to getting more and more involved in the BIK Youth family:
- BIK Youth Panel
The BIK Youth Panel is the first step into the BIK Youth Programme. Each year, around 20 young people (aged 13 to 18) from different EU countries are selected to join. Starting in June, they work together until the Safer Internet Forum (SIF) in November. During this time, they share their opinions and represent their peers at the European level. - BIK Youth Ambassador
After participating in the BIK Youth Panel and the Safer Internet Forum, some young people become BIK Youth Ambassadors. Ambassadors continue to engage in BIK activities, stay connected, and contribute to new projects that promote online safety at both national and European events. - SIF Youth Advisory Group (SIF YAG)
The Safer Internet Forum Youth Advisory Group (SIF YAG) consists of up to 10 BIK Youth Ambassadors who have actively participated at the national and European levels since becoming Youth Ambassadors. Each year, a new SIF Youth Advisory Group is formed.
To begin your journey, you’ll need to be selected by your country’s Safer Internet Centre (SIC). Contact your national SIC to learn how to join youth panel activities and get started!
Other
You can access the BIK privacy statement here. You will find detailed information about why and how your personal data is processed, which personal data is collected, and how long the data is kept for. You will also find the contact information for the Data Processor, the Data Controller, the Data Protection Officer (DPO) of the European Commission, and the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS).
Better Internet for Kids is partially compliant with the WCAG 2.1 level AA and technical standard EN 301 549, v3.2.1.
You can find more detailed information - including compatibility with browsers and assistive technology and accessibility limitations - in the BIK Accessibility statement.