For Safer Internet Day 2024, nine NGOs from the Americas came together to launch an initiative focused on the digital wellbeing of young children. Leading these efforts was Power of Zero, an international non-profit organisation committed to ensuring the well-being of young people in the digital age.
Together they launched the First Device Campaign to guide families in the critical moment when children receive their first internet-connected device — a milestone that brings both opportunities and challenges.
The campaign addressed the reality that many parents and grandparents face. As primary gatekeepers of their children's virtual lives, they often lack the knowledge or resources to guide their children as they start their online lives.
At the heart of the campaign is a simple but powerful framework: "SLOW" (or "CALMA" in Spanish). SLOW stands for:
- Safety first: Set up parental controls and initiate conversations about online risks.
- Life skills: Ensure that children develop key emotional and social skills, such as resilience, critical thinking, and kindness, before they start online.
- Open dialogue: Create an environment where children feel comfortable sharing their online experiences, especially when something makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Watch together: Stay actively involved in your child’s digital life, co-watching and co-playing to guide them through their online life.
Parents were encouraged to co-watch the Heroes of Zero animated video series with their children and download the First Device Parenting Guide. The series was launched on YouTube on Safer Internet Day 2024 and received 1.5 million views across the Americas in the month of February.
The campaign demonstrates the power of collaborative action. Participating NGOs include ConnectSafely (United States), Glasswing International (El Salvador), Red Papaz (Colombia), Abrace Programas Preventivos (Brazil), Chicos.net (Argentina), Generacion Tec (Peru), Gurises Unidos (Uruguay), Touch Community Services (Singapore) and the Philippine Mental Health Association (Philippines). The First Device Campaign was led by Power of Zero and launched on February 6, 2024.
To learn more about the First Device Campaign and download the free parenting guide and children’s pledge, visit this website.
For Safer Internet Day 2024, nine NGOs from the Americas came together to launch an initiative focused on the digital wellbeing of young children. Leading these efforts was Power of Zero, an international non-profit organisation committed to ensuring the well-being of young people in the digital age.
Together they launched the First Device Campaign to guide families in the critical moment when children receive their first internet-connected device — a milestone that brings both opportunities and challenges.
The campaign addressed the reality that many parents and grandparents face. As primary gatekeepers of their children's virtual lives, they often lack the knowledge or resources to guide their children as they start their online lives.
At the heart of the campaign is a simple but powerful framework: "SLOW" (or "CALMA" in Spanish). SLOW stands for:
- Safety first: Set up parental controls and initiate conversations about online risks.
- Life skills: Ensure that children develop key emotional and social skills, such as resilience, critical thinking, and kindness, before they start online.
- Open dialogue: Create an environment where children feel comfortable sharing their online experiences, especially when something makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Watch together: Stay actively involved in your child’s digital life, co-watching and co-playing to guide them through their online life.
Parents were encouraged to co-watch the Heroes of Zero animated video series with their children and download the First Device Parenting Guide. The series was launched on YouTube on Safer Internet Day 2024 and received 1.5 million views across the Americas in the month of February.
The campaign demonstrates the power of collaborative action. Participating NGOs include ConnectSafely (United States), Glasswing International (El Salvador), Red Papaz (Colombia), Abrace Programas Preventivos (Brazil), Chicos.net (Argentina), Generacion Tec (Peru), Gurises Unidos (Uruguay), Touch Community Services (Singapore) and the Philippine Mental Health Association (Philippines). The First Device Campaign was led by Power of Zero and launched on February 6, 2024.
To learn more about the First Device Campaign and download the free parenting guide and children’s pledge, visit this website.
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