Digital Education Action Plan Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027 Resetting education and training for the digital age (COM/2020/624 final)
The Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027) supports the education and training systems in EU Member States to adapt to the digital age. In one action, the Commission is developing guidelines for teachers and educators to fight disinformation and promote digital literacy, so young people can use social media platforms safely and identify reliable information.
(Source: EC Compendium of BIK-related legislation)
EU Youth Strategy Engaging, Connecting and Empowering young people: a new EU Youth Strategy (COM/2018/269 final)
The EU Youth Strategy (2019-2027) encourages more young people to participate in democratic life (e.g. discuss publicly or actively online things that are important for everybody, vote in elections). The EU wants to support young people so they know about their rights, and have the skills and necessary resources to play an active part in society.
(Source: EC Compendium of BIK-related legislation).
Establishing a European Pillar of Social Rights
The European Pillar of Social Rights sets out 20 key principles and rights essential for fair and well- functioning labour markets and social protection systems. The dedicated Action Plan turns the principles into concrete actions to benefit citizens. This includes supporting children in terms of affordable early childhood education and good quality child-care, protection from poverty, equal opportunities, and access to digital communications and other essential services.
(Source: EC Compendium of BIK-related legislation).
New Consumer Agenda Strengthening consumer resilience for sustainable recovery
Two particular areas are relevant to children in the digital environment: Its main principle is that consumers should enjoy the same level of protection online and offline. Fighting risky commercial practices is very important, in particular for children. Online traps include practices which are not transparent, for example influencers not indicating when they are paid to promote a specific product (hidden advertising); and in online games, promotion of a virtual currency without indicating the value in real money. Children should be able to recognise on-line traps as early as possible.
A European strategy for a better Internet for kids (BIK+) communication from the commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions
The vision of BIK+ strategy is for age-appropriate digital services, with every child in Europe protected, empowered and respected online, and no one left behind.
BIK+, a flagship initiative of the European Year of Youth 2022, proposes actions around three pillars:
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Union of Equality: Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 (COM/2021/101 final)
Persons with disabilities in Europe should enjoy fully their fundamental rights, have equal opportunities, and not face discrimination. Children with disabilities have the same rights as able- bodied children, e.g. the right to education, early childhood education and care, but often this does not happen in practice. Persons with disabilities are also targeted by hate speech and bullying, including in education institutions. New indicators will also cover children with disabilities.
(Source: EC Compendium of BIK-related legislation).
Criminal Code - Section 18 (650/2004) Distribution of a sexually obscene image
Relevant sections of the Criminal Code cover various aspects on online child sexual abuse and exploitation, namely:
- Distribution of a sexually obscene image (Section 18),
- Aggravated distribution of a sexually obscene image depicting a child (Section 18a),
- Illegal display or distribution of an audiovisual programme to a minor (Section 18b),
- Possession of a sexually obscene image depicting a child (Section 18c),
- Sexually obscene marketing Section 20)
(Source: Criminal Code)
New literacies programme
The goal of the New Literacy development program is to strengthen children's and young people's media literacy, information and communication technology (ICT) skills, and programming skills in early childhood education and preschool and basic education.
In the fall of 2020, the Ministry of Education and Culture launched the New Literacy Development Program for the years 2020-2023, and it is part of the Ministry's broader Right to Learn development program.
National youth work and youth policy programme 2024–2027
The National Youth Work and Youth Policy Programme is a horizontal programme, which the Government adopts every four years with the aim of promoting a good environment for young people to grow up and live. In the Programme, the Government defines its youth policy objectives and the measures to achieve them. The Programme also outlines youth work, including the priorities for the selection of national centers of excellence in the youth sector for this programme period, and sets Finland's national objectives for European and international activities in the youth sector.
Media literacy in Finland: national media education policy
Media literacy in Finland is the media literacy policy and the national media education policy document, published by the Ministry of Education and Culture in 2019. The document updates and extends the cultural policy guidelines for media literacy published in 2013.
