Better Internet for Kids

SID is an annual global event aiming to enable young people to take control of their digital lives by encouraging them to adopt healthy and responsible online behaviours. The day was organised by FGI Côte d'Ivoire, in collaboration with Youth FGI Côte d'Ivoire and partners.

Official opening ceremony for SID 2020

This year's theme was "Together for a better internet". The opening ceremony was led by Aboubakar Diakite, Technical Advisor for the Minister of Digital Economy and Post, with the presence of Salyou Fanny, President of FGI Côte d'Ivoire and Paul Yao, Principal of the Santa Anna middle school.

After welcoming the participants, Paul Yao briefly introduced the Santa Anna middle school and encouraged everyone to make a safe use of the internet. He concluded his intervention by thanking the organisers of SID, which will undoubtedly reinforce young people, parents and educators' ability to browse the web safely.

Salyou Fanny, President of FGI Côte d'Ivoire, then introduced SID, insisting on the importance that needs to be given to this day, and concluded by thanking all participants. Aboubakar Diakite, Technical Advisor for the Minister of Digital Economy and Post, thanked the middle school for hosting the event, talked about the Ministry's vision, shared recommendations with the young people present, and thanked everyone who attended the event. He then opened the day's workshops.

The presentation of Eva Nadège N'Cho (Hié)

Vassindou Bamba, Secretary General for FGI Côte d'Ivoire, introduced Eva Nadège N'Cho (married name Hié), who gave a presentation on the theme of "young people in the digital era – advantages and drawbacks" structured in five parts: 1) introduction; 2) internet and social media; 3) digital identity; 4) advantages and drawbacks; 5) Q&A.

The presenter insisted on the opportunities offered by the internet, the dangers related to a poor use of digital technologies, and she shared some best practice to adopt for a better use of the internet among users.

After the presentation, several workshops on the themes of digital illiteracy, cyberbullying, online violence, and the opportunities offered by the internet to young people.

During this activity, three groups were formed with the young people to work on the above-mentioned themes, with the help of facilitators, as follows:

• Group A – Theme 1 (Digital illiteracy). Facilitators: Isaac Tra, Abiba Eliane Sery and Auguste Ekra John
• Group B – Theme 2 (Cyberbullying and online violence). Facilitators: Sara Diegnana Ouattara, Noël Kouadio Kan, Espérance Mylène Akafou and Constant.
• Group C – Theme 3 (The opportunities of the internet for young people). Facilitators: Léonce Kakpo Kouakou, Aminata Sanogo, Emmanuela Able, Mamadou Doumbia, Ange Goulindre and Cyrille Yao.

The workshops

After this, the young people presented the results of their discussions to the entire audience. They engaged very well with the various workshops and wished for this activity to be organised again in the future.

The presentations

This day of teaching and experience sharing ended with the President of FGI Côte d'Ivoire thanking all 300 participants (students, parents and the educational staff of the Santa Anna middle school) for the quality of the exchanges. He reminded them of the objective of SID, and invited everyone present to strive for a better internet for all.

For more information, visit the profile page of FGI Côte d'Ivoire, the Ivory Coast SID Committee.

Below, you can find some additional pictures of the activities organised for SID 2020 in the country.