Better Internet for Kids

What do children and young people need to become safe, empowered and active participants online, with no one left behind? How do key EU initiatives such as the European strategy for a better internet for kids (the BIK+ strategy) affect the digital experiences of children and young people? What measures can we expect from industry to keep minors safe online as a result of legislatives changes such as the Digital Services Act? This course will provide background information and understanding of key initiatives that are shaping the digital experiences of children and young people. The course will also explore the ways in which teachers and schools can help to protect and promote children's rights in a digital world, how education can empower children and young people with the necessary skills and competences for the Digital Decade, and methods to encourage all youth to actively participate in shaping a better and safer internet.

You can follow the course at your own pace, there are only a few deadlines you need to pay attention to (those for the peer assessment activity).
 

Learning objectives

• To understand the rights of all children and how these apply in their digital lives.
• To identify the skills and competences needed for youth to be safe, healthy and positive online.
• To become familiar with key EU policy initiatives, such as the European strategy for a better internet for kids (also known as the BIK+ strategy) and the Digital Services Act (DSA) and identify ways in which this will affect the digital experiences of children and young people.
• To consider the roles that schools, educators and families play in raising awareness, developing competence and encouraging active participation.
   

Modules

Module 1: Understanding children’s rights in a digital world 
Module 2: Identifying online risks and creating safe digital environments 
Module 3: Empowering children and young people through digital skills and literacy 
Module 4: Supporting youth to participate and innovate 
 

Prerequisites

The course is targeted at primary and secondary school teachers of any subject. Other educational professionals and stakeholders, such as heads of schools, school support staff, and policy makers with an interest in this topic are welcome to join also.
 

Certification

In order to receive the certificate, the participation in the quizzes will count for 5%, and the learning scenario together with the peer reviews will count for 95%. The overall passing grade is 95%.

The final deadline to complete all activities is Wednesday, 17 April, 23:59 CEST.